tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62908921739665014242024-02-19T10:13:47.740-05:00Food as FunA "journal" of the awesome new foods I try with a few random fun facts about food and cookingStefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.comBlogger99125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-11563870302251622822014-02-18T21:36:00.000-05:002014-02-18T21:36:44.541-05:00Brunch in Cleveland<br />
After 3 months in Cleveland, it was about time I tried brunch here. I recently went to 2 different places: <a href="http://lunabakerycafe.com/">Luna Bakery and Cafe</a> and <a href="http://www.innoncoventry.com/">The Inn on Coventry</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdNWaOUwqQY0sqtN5Eb9FatNXHjswQGDRhdXQ5IxpCpyTuVlPbjfFaXvpo02Uzh71eYxMrdy-bQ3HCh_J-B-P2vG3y60X7qn_5c1Gaez8QujlopOH5h3BMZ962e116ncf5qKDv-S9g1o/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdNWaOUwqQY0sqtN5Eb9FatNXHjswQGDRhdXQ5IxpCpyTuVlPbjfFaXvpo02Uzh71eYxMrdy-bQ3HCh_J-B-P2vG3y60X7qn_5c1Gaez8QujlopOH5h3BMZ962e116ncf5qKDv-S9g1o/s1600/photo.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>First, Luna Bakery and Cafe is a relatively new spot in the Cedar-Fairmount area. It's hip, modern, bright, etc. The space is crowded, but the atmosphere is energetic. You order at the register and then fight for a table (on busy weekends). Or, while waiting for the table, you can watch the "chefs" make crepes and regret that you didn't order 10 more things... The menu selection is pretty diverse. There are no egg classics (benedict, etc.), but there are a variety of sweet and savory crepes and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. I got the dark chocolate crepe with fresh berries. Then, because the display was so tempting, I also got a green tea macaron, a chocolate-hazelnut macaron. Finally, I noticed the mushroom quiche and decided to try it as well. Never mind that I had already had breakfast that morning... So let's start with the quiche: it was incredibly smooth and melted in my mouth. The crust was still flaky and buttery. However, I wish that the mushrooms flavor was more detectable. I next tried the crepe. It was warm and thin. The chocolate filling was neither too much, not too little - it was in good balance with the crepe. And the berries presented a nice contrast to the sweet chocolate. I managed to save the macarons for home, but I quickly finished them, as well. They had good texture, but nothing special as far as macarons go. They were delicious, but the flavors were just average.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MOr2zrTQ66PPl_KNiRSMBJ1IY9KhpbCfqMIaTef_mGCCspOCgSJs-z4hMdXFWFZHKrTlO_YaGF2ysltZJI0R-kEf1JdReJXNx5CJFp7EYnIGIz7YxL2KkWYNOtgoG1WKNg_PbDe5lOE/s1600/photo(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MOr2zrTQ66PPl_KNiRSMBJ1IY9KhpbCfqMIaTef_mGCCspOCgSJs-z4hMdXFWFZHKrTlO_YaGF2ysltZJI0R-kEf1JdReJXNx5CJFp7EYnIGIz7YxL2KkWYNOtgoG1WKNg_PbDe5lOE/s1600/photo(1).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>Only a couple of weeks after the experience at Luna, I went to the Inn on Coventry. We were a large group (8 of us), but didn't have a problem getting a table at 9:45 am. Unlike Luna, the Inn is old, dark, and crowded. It's an old establishment, and it feels like it has never been renovated. The character can be nice if the original features are done in the right way, but that wasn't the case with the Inn. Fortunately, the food was worth it. I got the Maryland crab cakes Benedict. I wasn't sure if getting seafood at that location in particular was a good idea, but it turned out ok. Well, the crab cakes didn't have that much crab, but they were ok. They weren't great, but they weren't a disaster. The eggs, however, were perfectly poached. The yolks were soft in the middle and ran on the plate as a nice rich cream. I love egg yolks! Who cares about cholesterol ;) The Hollandaise sauce had red peppers in it, which complemented the crab cakes well. On the side, I got grits just because I miss the South :) My first impression of the grits was that they were very bland, but I eventually got used to the taste. They definitely didn't have any cheese. At least they were still creamy...<br />
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Despite the old interior, I would have liked the Inn on Coventry if it wasn't for the service. They problems started as soon as we sat down. The waitress was rushing us to decide on drinks. I understand that she was busy, but she was almost rude whenever she had to interact with us. But the worst part was at the end, when we were done with the meal. The waitress simply set the checks on our table without asking them if we were ready. And then both her and the hostess kept coming over to our table to see if we were ready to leave. It did feel like they were making us leave. Yes, there were people waiting, but we got there early to get a table, so I feel like we had the right to stay. Plus, we weren't simply sitting there. We were already packing our things up. Maybe they got a little more revenue that morning by giving our table to someone else, but they definitely lost a customer in me.<br />
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Compared to the vibrant, happy and friendly atmosphere at Luna, the Inn on Coventry was quite a disappointment. But I'm looking forward to trying more brunch places. I hope that more of them will be closer to Luna rather than the Inn. Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-29954765406195469672014-01-19T14:58:00.001-05:002014-01-19T14:58:31.335-05:00Mmm, fresh seafood in AtlantaAnd after a single post about Cleveland, I'm back to Atlanta! Well, only for a short visit over Christmas. In between catching up with old friends and eating my mom's amazing food, my sister pumpkin and I sneaked out for a nice dinner out. I'd heard from a ton of people how great <a href="http://theoptimistrestaurant.com/">The Optimist</a> was supposed to be, so we finally tried it out.Plus, even though Cleveland is on a lake, getting fresh food here can be a challenge... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOOcNEwM95NebDzDm-n1lWmfjLS1Cf0ixKefzSc0CM_Uz2NWUoEn4UCU6ZgCFVBiIHOSVGIFc45opCyMHG6cAh91b0ypHUNnao9w911XFnr_ad9O7edKlKeBHl0sm-BGCpsK8IJQdX5Q/s1600/IMG_1389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOOcNEwM95NebDzDm-n1lWmfjLS1Cf0ixKefzSc0CM_Uz2NWUoEn4UCU6ZgCFVBiIHOSVGIFc45opCyMHG6cAh91b0ypHUNnao9w911XFnr_ad9O7edKlKeBHl0sm-BGCpsK8IJQdX5Q/s1600/IMG_1389.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>The restaurant is located on the West Side of Atlanta, pretty close to <a href="http://foodasfun.blogspot.com/2012/03/sunday-supper.html">JCT Kitchen</a> and <a href="http://foodasfun.blogspot.com/search/label/Abattoir">Abattoir</a>. It also has the same feel to it: converted warehouse that's now both modern and sophisticated at the same time. But what the restaurant is really known for is the seafood. It has a large selection of raw oysters, which we unfortunately couldn't try :( Instead, we got the tuna tartare as a starter. This dish was both innovative and delicious.
It came with duck breast ham and SHAVED hardboiled egg on top. How often do you see shaved egg or duck breast ham?!?!?! And yes, that's ham made out of duck breast. I don't know how they made it, but it was amazing, with a rich flavor that I usually associate with spicy dried sausages. The
creaminess of the egg was perfect with the fresh tuna, and the ham
provided a punch of flavor and saltiness to the otherwise plain fish. The plate was also spotted with a black garlic reduction for an additional layer of flavor. A great start to the meal that matched my expectations for the restaurant, but set new expectations for the main course.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB3y3DEiJLmebykav1pDr0_TaJktQcqAkilVX0RvqaW4x31TKpGfybhzWX6Jw_L2chybbFcr2Qtnj8ogAs6EJg5_dS1W9p0oPXlQx2AgZyxi9i1XgbGxcmpk4iN9jwkR2XpNHmRHszxE/s1600/IMG_1390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinB3y3DEiJLmebykav1pDr0_TaJktQcqAkilVX0RvqaW4x31TKpGfybhzWX6Jw_L2chybbFcr2Qtnj8ogAs6EJg5_dS1W9p0oPXlQx2AgZyxi9i1XgbGxcmpk4iN9jwkR2XpNHmRHszxE/s1600/IMG_1390.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>For entrees, I got red snapper with roasted cauliflower, and Pumpkin had swordfish with beans and capers. Unlike the creative appetizer, the entrees were just standard. Well, they were delicious, but there was nothing special about them. The cauliflower was just like any cauliflower I've had. On the bright side, the fish was fresh and well cooked. Mine was a little bland, but Pumpkin's swordfish was well flavored.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpNxXB6hmlOvQhlLdbcycOmoeAl_yhnNzAG5VoA81YRedVHKjCtrIgADsyQBCwIBjGMSwf1ARRv5vlLpE73HR0y1AQ7w3L3zjxPeGC3opijOUJ2-a3v3_TP0vTSyS2EJwfVgT9fMuCb8/s1600/IMG_1391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpNxXB6hmlOvQhlLdbcycOmoeAl_yhnNzAG5VoA81YRedVHKjCtrIgADsyQBCwIBjGMSwf1ARRv5vlLpE73HR0y1AQ7w3L3zjxPeGC3opijOUJ2-a3v3_TP0vTSyS2EJwfVgT9fMuCb8/s1600/IMG_1391.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>Because we had been eating copious amounts of food for a few days, we didn't get a dessert this time. One things that irked me, though, is that our waiter didn't even ask us if we wanted the check or a dessert menu. He simply placed the dessert menu on our table and walked away. I guess that's a good strategy to entice someone into getting dessert, but I didn't appreciate it. Indeed, I found the service a little lacking and not up to par, especially compared to the other great restaurants nearby. The waiter came and asked us for our order as soon as we were seated, before we could even look at the menu, but when it was time for the check, he was no where to be seen. I did like certain aspects of The Optimist, but it has some work to do before it can catch up with the other great restaurants in the area. <br />
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<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-6884465873518304182014-01-13T21:55:00.000-05:002014-01-13T21:55:46.006-05:00Welcome to Cleveland<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScMYUBsZPzD3Eq4FX14R8hzNH5YH1Ir2x8Glq1QIuNgRZRlIkaTxqVlxd4Ap_Na7iSZfBDyrCQXvnB0eCBmVGO99f_FH-gMB05KUYcfiYwEoZfS_CUO69l1DlT8NmkN4KizyJrlw4ovw/s1600/IMG_1113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhScMYUBsZPzD3Eq4FX14R8hzNH5YH1Ir2x8Glq1QIuNgRZRlIkaTxqVlxd4Ap_Na7iSZfBDyrCQXvnB0eCBmVGO99f_FH-gMB05KUYcfiYwEoZfS_CUO69l1DlT8NmkN4KizyJrlw4ovw/s200/IMG_1113.JPG" width="200" /></a>Well, I've been in Cleveland for about three months now. I already settled into my new place in downtown, started the new job, have seen lots of snow and experienced COLD weather, but at the same time I've done a great deal of exploring of the city. Of course, that includes a great deal of eating out. A few places that stood out are mentioned below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQrMCJrL3bjuVXdJQlINC5D5EKr3KKOc8Iyn7yvBiHp1GMXcvMhdcunMzzZYlVClO4YkfzOHkBaxlOfWuoc8wfSh8Uz1sGXTs5Xx9vi7r9pYIdN25jSsCNPNee-7mOphqHpHD7X4E9O4/s1600/IMG_1114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQrMCJrL3bjuVXdJQlINC5D5EKr3KKOc8Iyn7yvBiHp1GMXcvMhdcunMzzZYlVClO4YkfzOHkBaxlOfWuoc8wfSh8Uz1sGXTs5Xx9vi7r9pYIdN25jSsCNPNee-7mOphqHpHD7X4E9O4/s200/IMG_1114.JPG" width="200" /></a>One of the first places I went to after moving in was <a href="http://www.thegreenhousetavern.com/#about">Greenhouse Tavern</a>, which is only a few blocks away from my apartment. I went there with my parents because I thought they would be excited about a place with a creative meat menu. One of the items is a whole pig's head!! I was sure my dad would want to order that. Instead, he scorned at it and got the hot wings.... Well, at least he said he liked them. My mom got the lamb burger. The burger was juicy and delicious, with strong, but not overwhelming lamb flavor. The fries that it came with were also crispy and great. I opted for the pasta because I didn't feel like having a large meat course. The pasta came with grilled tomatoes, pancetta and green beans in a black garlic sauce. It was relatively light and flavorful, but a tad dry. Still, I definitely want to go back to Greenhouse Tavern and get that pig's head!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rf0Z8GjKXDLnp63wev3RezdF6iOwFDTmf0VFytO3DBDTUFGUBGoTU0Sahw7wbJ2mrWKqq5Jr8TqKwHDTCs64cHkCxyfNkmUqOmmEbiiqjhLB0U_H-8YdmszWUGaB9X1v6XAnnxgDoKE/s1600/IMG_1112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rf0Z8GjKXDLnp63wev3RezdF6iOwFDTmf0VFytO3DBDTUFGUBGoTU0Sahw7wbJ2mrWKqq5Jr8TqKwHDTCs64cHkCxyfNkmUqOmmEbiiqjhLB0U_H-8YdmszWUGaB9X1v6XAnnxgDoKE/s320/IMG_1112.JPG" width="320" /></a>Another very memorable place was <a href="http://lolitarestaurant.com/">Lolita</a>, which is owned by iron chef Michael Symon. I went there for my birthday with a group of friends, so we ordered several things. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of any of them :( My appetizer was dates with almonds and bacon. It was sweet and rather heavy, but definitely very delicious! The eggplant dip was on the lighter side, but also very good. It came with a wonderful flatbread that I couldn't get enough of. For entrees, a couple of us ordered the octopus and bone marrow risotto. I thought the dates were rich, but the risotto was rich on another level! After all, what can you expect from a creamy risotto, which already has an indulgent texture, after adding pure fat in the form of bone marrow to it? At the same time, it was still edible and very pleasant to eat. It did melt in my mouth. And because it was so rich, I could barely eat half of it and had dinner for the next day :) Finally, what very pleasantly surprised me at the restaurant was that they brought a dessert for me - meaning, it was free :) It was some kind of cake that had custard in the middle and caramelized pears on top. But it resembled a molten chocolate cake than a layer cake. The cake itself was spiced (probably with cinnamon, etc.) and very very moist because of the custard. It was simply outstanding - one of those desserts that make you eat them even though you're stuffed...<br />
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Based on these two places and lots of others, I'm very excited about living here and trying out more things. Stay tuned!<br />
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<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-82756392531651286982014-01-05T14:40:00.003-05:002014-01-05T14:40:49.948-05:00Local flair in Minneapolis<span id="goog_596691523"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_596691524"></span>Wow, so many things have changed over the last several months: I defended my graduate dissertation, graduate from school and moved to Cleveland for a new job. All of these things kept me busy and made me neglect my blog. But things are finally slowing down, so I'm back!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nE2VXBfW0A2wDIYzGQrsoP4iMU3QQ3yb_ous4i0EU5LhapKdqJEVY8ORQSV5gYAaMYdch9r-t5VjE81CJ4T0UtRZQwilBLwMXknyDpwKXOCD3GAWBbt0MT1v5OKkJDbinPTGuwKfCeU/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nE2VXBfW0A2wDIYzGQrsoP4iMU3QQ3yb_ous4i0EU5LhapKdqJEVY8ORQSV5gYAaMYdch9r-t5VjE81CJ4T0UtRZQwilBLwMXknyDpwKXOCD3GAWBbt0MT1v5OKkJDbinPTGuwKfCeU/s320/IMG_0978.JPG" width="320" /></a>Today I'll quickly catch you up on some of the most memorable dining experiences I had recently. I'll start with a trip I took last fall to Minneapolis/St. Paul to visit Pumpkin there. It was still the beginning of fall, the leaves on the trees were all shades of yellow and red, the air was crisp, but still warm - PERFECT! Pumpkin had to work during the days when I was there, so I was left to explore on my own. I didn't mind it, though, because I got to rest and do whatever I want. In between going to parks and museums, I grabbed a few meals. I had a lot of fresh local food at a small cafe next to a lake (can't remember its name :( ) and the modern art museum. But the best meal of the trip was at <a href="http://butcherandtheboar.com/">Butcher and the Boar</a>. I don't often eat meat, but when I do it's something special - as at the restaurant of a James Beard Award semifinalist.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4ZLLctn49NHByUiuMgdOhVAnTpppdOineMtdS44KLSnooRZfoRalfZhAq3E1cPvwN2h4QACcZT36HFo176APHWzSze6M6F1zBBXynF6dhT2mgwt2lIOlK8uzQmkfg84ztbxKwRcTGBA/s1600/IMG_0979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4ZLLctn49NHByUiuMgdOhVAnTpppdOineMtdS44KLSnooRZfoRalfZhAq3E1cPvwN2h4QACcZT36HFo176APHWzSze6M6F1zBBXynF6dhT2mgwt2lIOlK8uzQmkfg84ztbxKwRcTGBA/s200/IMG_0979.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
In addition to Pumpkin, her roommate also joined us for dinner. We decided to share the sausage sampler because the restaurant is known for its sausages. The platter came with a pork, beef and boar sausage each, which was perfect for the three of us. We also got the beer-battered fries on the side. All the sausages were amazing. They were juicy and flavorful, each with its unique taste. The pork sausage was especially juicy, with what looked like pieces of cheese inside. It was my favorite. The fries were also perfect: crispy on the outside and soft inside. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfP0e5GbZNDx_yqBaMb111emXSd8WtKZleCIIcBkkEN0O3vNS058cUnhGAJ1aaRwK6iosRKkdOYGj0A8CXvsAgQ27qJHhdgkRgAclSeITnF54N5n8EKTlRHnS8-d40suaYniVDPpjugc/s1600/IMG_0968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfP0e5GbZNDx_yqBaMb111emXSd8WtKZleCIIcBkkEN0O3vNS058cUnhGAJ1aaRwK6iosRKkdOYGj0A8CXvsAgQ27qJHhdgkRgAclSeITnF54N5n8EKTlRHnS8-d40suaYniVDPpjugc/s200/IMG_0968.JPG" width="200" /></a>Finally, the other place worth mentioning is a local ice cream chain called <a href="http://sebastianjoesicecream.com/">Sebastian Joe's</a>. I have newfound appreciation for ice cream, especially small family brands that still make the ice cream by hand. They use the best ingredients, and usually have some unique flavors. Sebastian Joe's is one of those places. After a lot of deliberation - and tastings ;) - I got a scoop each of the Pavaroti and Spumoni flavors. I mean, where else have you heard names like these?? The Pavaroti was caramel and banana ice cream with swirled caramel, banana pieces and chocolate chips. The Spumoni is almond, lemon and orange ice cream with dried apricots and almonds. Both types were absolutely delicious. And even though the Spumoni had so many flavors mixed in, they were all balanced for an overall great taste. Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-55987695665761778762013-10-26T12:47:00.000-04:002013-10-26T12:47:13.611-04:00A visit to ChicagoA few weeks ago I went to Chicago for the very first time. Neither my sister, nor I had been there before, so we decided to meet up there. We stayed there for only one night, but we had a great time. Despite the short stay, we got a good sampling of the Chicago food.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBio9vJaP0Q61nrdTwWkooZ-6GJW_dDdWDmD27VvkU5hUcg64vQO1YH_2qytu4YaaPHcCR2Uv1xGBTJRw_ZNOZd04kror5Q-jyXxBJlnSZwtRRmbeWYpW7gNqaMC1ppUjRJwfMcAr220/s1600/IMG_0934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBio9vJaP0Q61nrdTwWkooZ-6GJW_dDdWDmD27VvkU5hUcg64vQO1YH_2qytu4YaaPHcCR2Uv1xGBTJRw_ZNOZd04kror5Q-jyXxBJlnSZwtRRmbeWYpW7gNqaMC1ppUjRJwfMcAr220/s200/IMG_0934.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCaMrGjswSyahfzWnzfOl4wZwDLWXId4noTpGwHSVAlPbxI_3e_938CpOhaEld5wunrWMTzI8ty1RupdEo-4aZyXN_YSA4ubRYqGSRUMhV1T7Bq1GrNwAYtweJx-jFQKLmiXQX0NQuyE/s1600/IMG_0933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGCaMrGjswSyahfzWnzfOl4wZwDLWXId4noTpGwHSVAlPbxI_3e_938CpOhaEld5wunrWMTzI8ty1RupdEo-4aZyXN_YSA4ubRYqGSRUMhV1T7Bq1GrNwAYtweJx-jFQKLmiXQX0NQuyE/s200/IMG_0933.jpg" width="150" /></a>One of the places I really wanted to try in this Midwest city was a Mexican restaurant called Frontera Grill, haha. But it's no ordinary Mexican. The owner is Rick Bayless, who has been called the Julia Child of Mexican food. He lived in Mexico for a long time, and prepares authentic Mexican dishes. Unfortunately, his restaurant is quite popular, which meant that there was a long wait even late in the afternoon, between lunch and dinner hours. Fortunately for us, there is a cafe attached to the restaurant (<a href="http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/xoco.html">Xoco</a>) which serves more street food-like versions of the dishes at Frontera Grill. So, my sister and I ate there. I ordered the suckling pig torta, and Pumpkin got the seafood caldo. My sandwich was great. I loved the grilled bread. Its crunch made it sturdy enough to hold the pile of meat that was in the middle. The pickled onion was a great addition because it cut through the richness of the meat. The sandwich came with a spicy salsa that was REALLY spicy. At first I scoffed at the warning by the server, but this is seriously the spiciest thing I've had. One drop was enough to set my mouth on fire for half a sandwich. I wish they would tone down the heat a little. Pumpkin's caldo was also hot, but in terms of temperature :P Compared to my sandwich, it was very light :) Yet, the broth was very flavorful and refreshing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dO4R8Xuxx-kggl5Wz9PW6YDZl04T6IjM0YEPLnW6NOgFQjoO580ymP5xFbLR6vYf89-XYPgfmBBYIb59FVRG76v76l18RVL1mq1T-_E-6uuVGV1Jw0wZAU4KZ9M6rXwb7gdDZvQvBoQ/s1600/IMG_0932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dO4R8Xuxx-kggl5Wz9PW6YDZl04T6IjM0YEPLnW6NOgFQjoO580ymP5xFbLR6vYf89-XYPgfmBBYIb59FVRG76v76l18RVL1mq1T-_E-6uuVGV1Jw0wZAU4KZ9M6rXwb7gdDZvQvBoQ/s200/IMG_0932.jpg" width="150" /></a>We also got the Mexican hot chocolate because I was curious what the original thing tastes like. And OMG, it was AMAZING! It tasted as rich as if you were drinking molten chocolate, but it was a lot more liquid to be simply that. However they prepare it, I can see why the Aztec rules loved it so much.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm11rxB7j0pZBeVKg1IdeR-rRbdjn1xB9IA5d7TFDsgn8oYw_LuhkVV12MKznLi-5Ta3Nk7GUUvMaJVVwk0SW99FR3vZe3fNdL6tNvAJoN95yK5NOwvDIEx1ZDasPR-iPiln0iVvtP3jc/s1600/IMG_0957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm11rxB7j0pZBeVKg1IdeR-rRbdjn1xB9IA5d7TFDsgn8oYw_LuhkVV12MKznLi-5Ta3Nk7GUUvMaJVVwk0SW99FR3vZe3fNdL6tNvAJoN95yK5NOwvDIEx1ZDasPR-iPiln0iVvtP3jc/s320/IMG_0957.JPG" width="320" /></a>Of course, our other meal in Chicago had to be deep dish pizza. We went to a place called Giordano's that a friend of mine had recommended. We ordered the original deep dish pizza as it was our first time trying it. Pumpkin was a little worried whether the small pizza would be enough for the two of us, but as soon as we saw the pizza, we realized that there's no reason to worry. The pizza is GIANT! It's as thick as a cake. It has a crust on the bottom, then layers of cheese, peperoni and bell peppers, and another layer of cheese that acts as a top crust. Pumpkin and I ate a piece each, and we are stuffed. Rather than not being enough for one meal, we got three meals out of it over the next few days. I did like the deep dish pizza, but I prefer the thin crust ones. Sorry, Chicago...Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-62675767291074973492013-10-06T21:50:00.000-04:002013-10-06T21:50:03.802-04:00Tapas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDWO8E9lLqOc2EQajdK-ZluVfFS4WNbDw0d7oWHVRifpIUGk-YxJjgJLkXTNGe8Ta7WBINJuzi5SDJz6-pRJ4e9l86J40cHmtQ8bCyCP5cWyP4Ejm3g6pHDx95oQ51zWOVIA8nQyRNjA/s1600/IMG_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDWO8E9lLqOc2EQajdK-ZluVfFS4WNbDw0d7oWHVRifpIUGk-YxJjgJLkXTNGe8Ta7WBINJuzi5SDJz6-pRJ4e9l86J40cHmtQ8bCyCP5cWyP4Ejm3g6pHDx95oQ51zWOVIA8nQyRNjA/s200/IMG_0896.JPG" width="200" /></a>I love the concept of tapas: you get to try several dishes at once. Even though <a href="http://www.eclipsediluna.com/">Eclipse di Luna</a> is a popular place for tapas (and late night dancing) in Atlanta, I didn't get to go there until recently. I met up with my friend Ems one last time before leaving for Cleveland. We started the night with some cocktails: I had the lychee martini, and Ems got the grapefruit martini. My drink was really good. It was slightly fruity, but because the lychee has a tart flavor, it didn't taste too cloying overall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmItkAx0L9ZKu0nJeBEgmaXir5A1WSYh2tpJzlMwy9rRDIEUKzTxTqIMgHjtkknXKuvKLPv4xE6R5jo20uU74N_TiZyVdXE7ruBREPGaPmDunQy6KyiP27Fe-3_lChPyBaiIQVR_2W5z8/s1600/IMG_0895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmItkAx0L9ZKu0nJeBEgmaXir5A1WSYh2tpJzlMwy9rRDIEUKzTxTqIMgHjtkknXKuvKLPv4xE6R5jo20uU74N_TiZyVdXE7ruBREPGaPmDunQy6KyiP27Fe-3_lChPyBaiIQVR_2W5z8/s200/IMG_0895.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
In an attempt to find crispy potatoes (patatas bravas) as good as the ones at Loca Luna, I was really excited to try the ones at Eclipse di Luna. (Side note: what's up with having the word "Luna" in both tapas places???) There are a couple of things that must be done right with the patatas bravas. First, they need to be CRISPY on the outside, but not drenched in oil while frying. Having some good seasoning on them is also nice to have. Second, the Romesco sauce on the side needs to be both creamy and spicy. Well, I'm happy to say that the patatas bravas at Eclipse di Luna perfectly satisfied both of these requirements! :) They were as good as the ones at Loca Luna that I love so much, and I couldn't find any difference. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7b5aLKzNtcguLpu_2id866fSOVuA5KGSyqjkGwYFl7SXgZbJq0kDl5ZpDwOIiEWdnmjQgT1CQrjAaNvEYXBfratG9YTo1iIEjdnZpwqkrdw_mdDUZ4kAXmrDevZdxZbL9lTahXOh9Ck/s1600/IMG_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7b5aLKzNtcguLpu_2id866fSOVuA5KGSyqjkGwYFl7SXgZbJq0kDl5ZpDwOIiEWdnmjQgT1CQrjAaNvEYXBfratG9YTo1iIEjdnZpwqkrdw_mdDUZ4kAXmrDevZdxZbL9lTahXOh9Ck/s320/IMG_0898.JPG" width="320" /></a>The other two dishes we decided to try were the fried goat cheese with caramelized onions (seen above with the potatoes) and the pulpo salteado (octopus "hash"). The goat cheese was good, but not exceptional. I guess it's hard to change its potent taste into anything else. And the taste is the reason why I got it anyway. The octopus wasn't really hashed, but that's what it reminded me of. It came sauteed with potatoes, onions, capers, peppers and lemons. The octopus itself was cooked really well and was not chewy. The poptatoes were crispy and contrasted the soft peppers and onions. And the acidity from the lemon made the dish really pleasant to eat. In summary, it was delicious!<br />
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I can honestly say that I loved Eclipse di Luna. I think I might like it even more than Loca Luna. My only regret is that I didn't know how good it was until now, when I'm about to leave the city :(Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-50280995167082251242013-09-20T23:24:00.003-04:002013-09-20T23:25:33.180-04:00A celebration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga72V8ytbgPAcsE_6jfyCjAPlNidhfYlV-7D8MAd0-E92Rv-gOXfOl5UGWURDj7mBA7GMEX2Y7Zp589x6Ezsgpjtn1A4UiTY-ehTiZjl8S_Hb8YXZLSAMUmSR99C8siYWmemjLSS2TNoo/s1600/IMG_0861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga72V8ytbgPAcsE_6jfyCjAPlNidhfYlV-7D8MAd0-E92Rv-gOXfOl5UGWURDj7mBA7GMEX2Y7Zp589x6Ezsgpjtn1A4UiTY-ehTiZjl8S_Hb8YXZLSAMUmSR99C8siYWmemjLSS2TNoo/s200/IMG_0861.jpg" width="150" /></a>As of two weeks ago, I'm a doctor!!!! Well, not the "real" one, the medical kind, but a doctor of philosophy: I got my PhD in pharmacology. The final requirement was an oral dissertation defense, and I passed it two weeks ago. To celebrate, I knew I had to go eat at a nice restaurant. I had wanted to try <a href="http://www.thespenceatl.com/p/menus.html">The Spence</a> for a while now, so passing the defense was the perfect opportunity. It is owned by Chef Richard Blais, who won TopChef Masters and likes to experiment with molecular gastronomy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_4H-dTm5PrmOeTYFgbvMMvhpLzDI4hgiDK2gsLtdRo8qe6qa-Iigfl-g8GSTtDFmsF9R8uhPMs5VgCjqBimZ_McwgsMecnUfUM7Bfwq8dfxgxWaEu5QjmBt-oQxuFg2dXwCRp5ztt8M/s1600/IMG_0863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_4H-dTm5PrmOeTYFgbvMMvhpLzDI4hgiDK2gsLtdRo8qe6qa-Iigfl-g8GSTtDFmsF9R8uhPMs5VgCjqBimZ_McwgsMecnUfUM7Bfwq8dfxgxWaEu5QjmBt-oQxuFg2dXwCRp5ztt8M/s200/IMG_0863.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_jSculn_wvwybPB6Sq0duorr-SpJyUkEk2yv0A3Tj_rqXxVK6-LoMlUtURaCUCoI3VGVImyJVaYI9rP79ToI0OS1HQ_lvg27VnQOBOMYthHrW0eUgYHPnQz5MHg_bw0sKwaFRrTemIg/s1600/IMG_0864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_jSculn_wvwybPB6Sq0duorr-SpJyUkEk2yv0A3Tj_rqXxVK6-LoMlUtURaCUCoI3VGVImyJVaYI9rP79ToI0OS1HQ_lvg27VnQOBOMYthHrW0eUgYHPnQz5MHg_bw0sKwaFRrTemIg/s200/IMG_0864.jpg" width="150" /></a>Because of the importance of the occasion, I went to The Spence with my parents, who were treating me to the dinner. My parents are the "quantity is more important than quality" and "if there's not a pile of meat, the dish is not good" type of people, so I was very worried about how they'll like a sophisticated restaurant where the emphasis is on quality of ingredients and preparation. Well, my fears were founded, as it turned out, but I was determined to enjoy the dinner no matter what. I started with a drink that is not on the current (frequently changing) menu :( So, I can't remember everything that was in it or even its name :( I did remember that it contained a type of alcohol starting with "B." After a lot of googling (which did involve the search phrase "alcohols starting with "b"), I finally fount it!! It's called Fernet Branca: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernet. The waiter did warn me that the drink has a very distinctive flavor, and that was definitely the case. I can't really describe it. It's bitter and aromatic at the same time, strong, but not overpowering like absinthe. The other ingredients in my cocktail weren't as interesting, but the end result was delicious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EHVNmSLqsly-UIkq7dH81RwbVlMYFFbfx7iQ2aJlfWkwM3cBFZF8Jyc9KTYeCDxIrXtn0yqFxnXe7ImaDTsEFPZhRgULvetNxjGm0Kbt3HVc9PK_1Bi924A8gFZFxFDbUfs2TKQM6nw/s1600/IMG_0862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EHVNmSLqsly-UIkq7dH81RwbVlMYFFbfx7iQ2aJlfWkwM3cBFZF8Jyc9KTYeCDxIrXtn0yqFxnXe7ImaDTsEFPZhRgULvetNxjGm0Kbt3HVc9PK_1Bi924A8gFZFxFDbUfs2TKQM6nw/s320/IMG_0862.jpg" width="240" /></a>One of the reasons I wanted to go to The Spence was to try bone marrow - which I've never had despite being somewhat of a foodie ;) My dad insisted that he wanted fish, but didn't want to pay for the branzino. I warned him that the sashimi (of kampachi) probably won't be enough for him to fill up, but he wanted it anyway. Even my mother, who can usually try new foods without immediately hating them, was overwhelmed by the menu. Too many unfamiliar tings to her, so I eventually ordered the tagliatelle. I hoped that the flavors would be similar enough to what she's used to that she would like it. We also got the fried Brussels sprouts. I knew very well that the portion sizes would be small and the quantity of the food won't be enough for my carnivorous parents, but they refused to get anything else. My dad was SHOCKED when he saw his sashimi - simply four pieces of fish. There was nothing I could tell him about the quality to make him less mad :( On the bright side, he ate the Brussels sprouts to make up for it. I did try a piece, and they were amazing! My mom seemed to like the pasta, but I think she was also disappointed by the size. I did try a little bit of the pasta, and it was really good, maybe even a little too rich (buttery) for my taste. But I did love the buttery flavor of the bone marrow :) The description that people use, that it's like melted butter, is spot on. Imagine roasting a rack of lamb and then dipping your bread in the drippings: that's what bone marrow tastes like. Just a little salty, with a rich roasted/browned flavor. The bone marrow came with a piece of toasted bread and diced tuna. The tuna was great, but I wish there was something even more light and fresh to balance the marrow - maybe even some celery ;)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE8IP7R-MhXWzX5vkArqVsT45C1GMVIA5BAyUTek16j5QhGl3X-ekmK9eS_rMVr-q4JEbSROCg8NnHleIYq2OwYnIKV8XiFMieRUUC1t_HkaJWq8MBBtMLFbTrhOgyVqPZ6XF1lskKSE/s1600/IMG_0865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSE8IP7R-MhXWzX5vkArqVsT45C1GMVIA5BAyUTek16j5QhGl3X-ekmK9eS_rMVr-q4JEbSROCg8NnHleIYq2OwYnIKV8XiFMieRUUC1t_HkaJWq8MBBtMLFbTrhOgyVqPZ6XF1lskKSE/s320/IMG_0865.jpg" width="240" /></a>(A side note: I know that plates at the Spence are meant to be shared and that they're small on purpose. Even though Bulgarian culture is huge about sharing and family-style eating at home, the opposite is true if you eat out. My dad thinks people will laugh at you if you try someone else's food. So, we all ended up eating a single dish.)<br />
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And to finish the celebration, we ordered two desserts: the pistachio shortcake and the ricotta cheesecake. The shortcake was really good. It was point and light, with pronounced (in a good way) pistachio flavor. The whipped cream was light and not too sweet. However, I was completely blown out by the cheesecake. It was really really REALLY OUTSTANDING. It honestly tasted more like ricotta mouse than cheesecake. I've never had a cheesecake as light and fluffy as the one at the Spence. Man, I wish I could eat that every single day! It even made my dad forget that he was mad at me for taking him to this "horrible" restaurant. That's what I call a good dish :P<br />
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<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-58615770744352022432013-09-20T22:04:00.000-04:002013-09-20T22:04:33.315-04:00Global seafood kitchen<a href="http://pappadeaux.com/home/">Pappadeux</a>, a chain with locations throughout the South, claims to be a seafood kitchen that draws on many cultures. Cajun dishes (etouffee, gumbo, alligator) are prominent on the menu. There are also interesting dishes from around the globe, from Southern America to Asia. Of course, there is a fried food section. So when I friend of mine suggested that we meet up for dinner there, I was up for it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBP7uAnjBLhOJqSlYwn7hyphenhyphenK4rRPqcb7WlJ8jIrejc9TW2UnqqoxYkunIZHojA1w-Zvyy6kMJvIGI-IFHKWHqh42maVX6vnGXRETYU5V-cPxnfEH0Dl5rSdenacvpb7XDQyVcHwPaLnh8/s1600/IMG_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibBP7uAnjBLhOJqSlYwn7hyphenhyphenK4rRPqcb7WlJ8jIrejc9TW2UnqqoxYkunIZHojA1w-Zvyy6kMJvIGI-IFHKWHqh42maVX6vnGXRETYU5V-cPxnfEH0Dl5rSdenacvpb7XDQyVcHwPaLnh8/s320/IMG_0838.JPG" width="320" /></a>I'm fortunate to have been to New Orleans several times, so I stayed away from any of the dishes typically associated with the city. Maybe the etouffe or the gumbo at Pappadeux are amazing, but it will be really hard to make them the same as in New Orleans itself. I didn't feel like having something heavy, either, and butter seemed to be a prominent ingredient on many of the dishes. Instead, I decided to try how good the fresh seafood at Pappadeux was. To do that, I simply ordered the half a dozen oysters and half a dozen chilled shrimp. They turned out to be even better than expected! The oysters were HUGE, but more importantly, FRESH. The chilled shrimp was perfectly cooked, and not rubbery at all. I enjoyed both very very much. My friend only got the dozen oysters, so nothing new to describe here.<br />
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And because I couldn't be completely healthy, I also got a pina colada :) I think I've had pina colada once or twice in my life before, but I was really craving it. Just like the food, the drink was excellent. It wasn't overly sweet, did taste like real fruit, and I could taste the alcohol, but it wasn't too strong. Overall, very satisfying. Pappadeux is making me re-think my conviction that chain restaurants are evil ;)Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-82268665989657402632013-08-31T20:18:00.000-04:002013-08-31T20:18:31.872-04:00Eating my way through ClevelandI have exciting news: I'll be moving to Cleveland!! The date is not set yet, but tentatively, it will be in the middle of October. Luckily, I've heard that Cleveland is becoming a foody town. I got to see this for myself last weekend when I was there to look for a place to live.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn44nV3yPsDoCq24RW5HsOecSBxlws4GoPJmaItQKWMOBwYt_dT2STX2Fr6-CVdUEK-uPnAHV6axRoeWpZIqQs32ReHp7ckp0Fa6yYNOL7oqoLFkMd4FP8NSvT_VtvW8UGZzWDlyHijI/s1600/IMG_0816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn44nV3yPsDoCq24RW5HsOecSBxlws4GoPJmaItQKWMOBwYt_dT2STX2Fr6-CVdUEK-uPnAHV6axRoeWpZIqQs32ReHp7ckp0Fa6yYNOL7oqoLFkMd4FP8NSvT_VtvW8UGZzWDlyHijI/s200/IMG_0816.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZTc_h_coFB-QYpb5F6GpE0RjpmhkBdygxoJ3KvZdAEWOTaLMZf_lbUV58pSrflC4Ik_n1vgiIvBCvwGNyZq-bHxXUEeAmarmfJnFaQioY-6KDAiprgyJdbPkRN_qRb3uDnL1gEaoZMg/s1600/IMG_0815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZTc_h_coFB-QYpb5F6GpE0RjpmhkBdygxoJ3KvZdAEWOTaLMZf_lbUV58pSrflC4Ik_n1vgiIvBCvwGNyZq-bHxXUEeAmarmfJnFaQioY-6KDAiprgyJdbPkRN_qRb3uDnL1gEaoZMg/s200/IMG_0815.JPG" width="200" /></a>As soon as I arrived on Saturday afternoon, I headed to downtown and the East 4th St. area. This is a cute area, a couple of blocks long, but lined with many restaurants and bars. You've got everything from more casual bars to upscale places. I was getting cold in the chilly northern nights (compared to Atlanta!), so I got really happy when I saw a Vietnamese restaurant called Saigon. I was craving pho anyway, and it sounded even more appropriate for the cold night. Yet, something I cannot resist when I see it on the menu is lotus root and shrimp salad. I got that first, and then I got the pho with rare beef. The salad really surprised me when it arrived. The lotus leaf wasn't shaved into matchsticks - which has been the case with all the other lotus root salad's I've had. Instead, it was cut into offset cylinders that resembled penne pasta. The other thing different from the classical version was the absence of fried crackers. I'm used to placing pieces of salad on the crackers and eating them. The crackers add a nice crunch, but the salad at Saigon was still great. It had the same flavors that I'm used to. Eventually, I also warmed up to the strange shape of the lotus root. It was whimsical and interesting, and it was easier to pick up with chopsticks. But I had to pack up most of the salad to go, and enjoy the pho. I'm not a pho specialist, but I really enjoyed the one at Saigon. The broth was flavorful and the beef was thin. My only complaint is that it didn't come with basil, but that's a minor thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLpt60PGOtyLtpH3fhpo3axKEYuuXYOuDKJyuznVTv6uD27X4YUZGJnu2ODlt5NGzQh4E-NhHZ1TsTwv5N9YeskWrkGRkeLNLWk4YnWmS9IBsXxiOJBllrKDRROAivWhKvDYKnWgdyG4/s1600/IMG_0825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLpt60PGOtyLtpH3fhpo3axKEYuuXYOuDKJyuznVTv6uD27X4YUZGJnu2ODlt5NGzQh4E-NhHZ1TsTwv5N9YeskWrkGRkeLNLWk4YnWmS9IBsXxiOJBllrKDRROAivWhKvDYKnWgdyG4/s320/IMG_0825.JPG" width="320" /></a>The next day I checked out another popular area: Cedar Fairmount. It's the intersection of Cedar and Fairmount streets, on the east side of the city, where the suburbs start. The area has several restaurants and local hang out spots. I went to one of those - Nighttown - which is also known for its amazing brunch menu. The Dublin Layer, which is a lobster and mushroom dish, has been featured on Food Network. That's actually the reason I went to Nighttown. But as I was deciding what to have, I saw the people on the table next to me receiving theirs. It's probably really delicious, but it looked simply like a stew to me. So I got the lobster eggs Benedict instead. I'm so so happy that I got it! It had huge chunks of delicious lobster, and also Canadian bacon in between the eggs and English muffin. The Hollandaise was really good, too, with a tangy flavor. And while I was enjoying the delicious food, I was also sipping on a great Bloody Mary. I think it had more vodka than mix ;) But it was perfectly spicy and flavored :)<br />
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Later that day, I met up with a friend in Cleveland, and we went to Sushi Rock, which was close to where I was staying. I ordered the Golden Dragon roll (sorry, no picture :( ). It had shrimp tempura, tuna, salmon, crab and avocado inside, and thinly sliced mango on the outside. It was topped with red roe. The roe and mango did make it look like a golden dragon :P I admit I was nervous about having sushi in Ohio, a state that is not next to the ocean, but I was pleasantly surprised. The fish was fresh and tasty. And I actually loved the combination of crispy shrimp tempura and raw salmon and tuna. After dinner, my friend and I decided to get ice cream at Mitchell's. I've read that it's a good ice cream place with interesting flavors, but I never expected to be blown away. The have a pretty long flavor list, each one sounding amazing. I somehow settled on the S'mores ice cream (roasted marshmallow ice cream with graham crackers and chocolate pieces) and lemon and black raspberry frozen yogurt. I really liked the roasted marshmallow ice cream, but it was waaayyy surpassed by the frozen yogurt. I mean, WOW! It is probably in the top 10 (maybe 5) things I've ever had! The balance of tart and sweet is so good. I can't even describe it. But I loved it so much, I went to Mitchell's the next day to get more. I didn't even try any other flavor. If you know me, you'll know that I'm the "always try something new" person. So it's a huge thing to have the same thing twice. And by the way, it was after a large dinner that made me stuffed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x1K9OZB7EJt42mojAcQS6pX5dSHYTciAscUwxcFnL_wEuV7HUSiAFhtfT-TKW96U4itKIk7dpcBXSHVOWioLqz2mEUlnBGxAUvCgAJp8SxC3QGwnasZsFmF3R57UYCdk_WfqbV9FdFc/s1600/IMG_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x1K9OZB7EJt42mojAcQS6pX5dSHYTciAscUwxcFnL_wEuV7HUSiAFhtfT-TKW96U4itKIk7dpcBXSHVOWioLqz2mEUlnBGxAUvCgAJp8SxC3QGwnasZsFmF3R57UYCdk_WfqbV9FdFc/s320/IMG_0836.JPG" width="320" /></a>So the dinner in question was at The Melt Bar and Grill. Again, it's been featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on Food Network. When I went there, they had a pig roast special that included chipotle pulled pork, fried sweet potatoes, and corn on the cob. I love both sweet potatoes and corn, so having them in one dish was too irresistible. Overall, I wasn't that impressed by the meal. I guess I expected more of a grilled cheese sandwich, with lots of cheese and maybe some meat, but I got the opposite. And I couldn't even taste the sweet potatoes. On the bright side, the charred corn was amazing :) So I ate half of the huge sandwich and the corn, had a 21st Amendment Watermelon Ale and went to get some more lemon raspberry ice cream :)<br />
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Based on my short experience with dining in Cleveland, I can't wait to move there! Is it October yet?<br />
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<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-80060361119832000742013-07-19T20:55:00.000-04:002013-07-19T20:55:37.237-04:00Exotic EthiopianThere are four different Ethiopian restaurants within 3 miles of where I live - no exaggeration. Three of them are at the same intersection, too. And yet, I have been to an Ethiopian restaurant only once in the last 11 years in Atlanta. That was a long time ago, when I was a really picky eater. Not surprise that that I didn't like it then... But now, I love trying new things, so I decided to give Ethiopian one more chance, with Snooki as my partner in crime.<br />
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When it came to deciding where to go, our thought process went exactly like this: (1) Which places have Scoutmob? (2) Which of the two options has the better reviews on Yelp? The result was <a href="http://www.meskerematlanta.com/">Meskerem</a>, and that's where we went. I wish looking at the menu had been part of the thought process, though. Snooki and I were hoping to see some kind of sampler platter, but there weren't any :( The closest thing we saw was a mixed lamb/chicken dish with two vegetable sides - we chose the lentils and split peas. We also got the beef spare ribs because I (goren tibs) because I thought it might be like Korean-style spare ribs. And they both came with the traditional Ethiopian sponge bread. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenlWj150GxTQNuCg3kEoMUAa_EN0My9m2d1BhLqrlcg-zAetmEP5sm10ZZBaZbZevfWAVRU_KqLwD-gB9nfT62Tu8uJT3seWFd291DHKmWJsDHwQgvJ90UzRjWOpbgzkjdZ5gNwGUYZ0/s1600/IMG_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenlWj150GxTQNuCg3kEoMUAa_EN0My9m2d1BhLqrlcg-zAetmEP5sm10ZZBaZbZevfWAVRU_KqLwD-gB9nfT62Tu8uJT3seWFd291DHKmWJsDHwQgvJ90UzRjWOpbgzkjdZ5gNwGUYZ0/s320/IMG_0759.JPG" width="320" /></a>My first impression of the goren tibs was really got. It was brought to the table in an iron skillet and sizzling, similar to fajita filling. But unlike fajitas, the beef then was poured over the sponge bread. I guess that was good. I didn't even get a chance to burn myself on the hot skillet ;) However, once I tried the beef, I was rather disappointed. It didn't have any of the flavor of Korean beef. It didn't have any Ethiopian spices either. Instead, the only seasoning it had appeared to be salt! The char on the beef was really nice, but that's the only good thing I can say about the beef.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndNP4L-qw8X4GQu-X4Jey4DiHQdxILMiy9rBenQsN-OmtoXAwwkyAy0zUmAE2KbPVKS86v97y0Eo0qlAzy_kpR61793xrcOdKRBw3X_XJHHjX-nlyOcq5wpYyQDYVtoGYhX_eWac3Gvo/s1600/IMG_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndNP4L-qw8X4GQu-X4Jey4DiHQdxILMiy9rBenQsN-OmtoXAwwkyAy0zUmAE2KbPVKS86v97y0Eo0qlAzy_kpR61793xrcOdKRBw3X_XJHHjX-nlyOcq5wpYyQDYVtoGYhX_eWac3Gvo/s320/IMG_0760.JPG" width="320" /></a>Snooki, with her mixed meat platter, had many more options of what to eat. Both the lamb and chicken were covered in a tomato-based sauce. Somehow, though, they tasted completely different. The chicken was bland, but the lamb was so flavorful! I definitely wish I had ordered it. The same thing happened with the lentils and peas too. Peas: blahhhh. Lentils: spicy goodness :)<br />
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I don't know how the things in the platter could be so different. I wish there was a little more consistency in tastes. This is one place where "hit-or-miss" appears to be the best description. The things that were good were really good. But unfortunately, getting those is all about luck. Overall, not a good place to just try new things.<br />
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As a post-script, here are some random notes. The Ethiopian bread is definitely very different. It's very moist (almost soggy), with a slight acidic flavor. I kind of like it, though. And note 2: we weren't even offered regular silverware. We had to eat everything with the bread and our fingers. That was OK while we were eating, but became a problem later when we were trying to pack up the leftovers to go. It was a pretty messy ordeal. I'm all for having an authentic cultural experience, but some things are a little hard to pass over (for example, utensils) when you're used to them since birth. Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-70864138297372745582013-07-16T19:57:00.000-04:002013-07-16T19:57:58.009-04:00Brunch on the patioThe beginning of summer is the time of the year when we all flock to pools, parks, and patios. [Ha, they all start with a "p"] It's not too hot yet, and we're sick of spending time indoors. Well, it's been a tricky summer here in Atlanta, raining pretty much every single day for as long as I can remember. But Snooki and I had a deal for brunch, so we chose a not-too-rainy Sunday to use it. And yes, we chose to sit on the patio :) What could be better to start a Sunday that fresh air, coffee and a nice breakfast at half the price :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp0p-IjxAiUKlc12WY-335kBTmMnHDEytlAX2h60Mzc5OghZzuleM1BMpCTNCnzO_woxz2JRk-Un9UguMtOZb6g_pdbZUtHzlIGshEqWrNZEROKgaYKu-tCua8X_FLM4nnf7n3wMR9wI/s1600/IMG_0700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJp0p-IjxAiUKlc12WY-335kBTmMnHDEytlAX2h60Mzc5OghZzuleM1BMpCTNCnzO_woxz2JRk-Un9UguMtOZb6g_pdbZUtHzlIGshEqWrNZEROKgaYKu-tCua8X_FLM4nnf7n3wMR9wI/s200/IMG_0700.jpg" width="150" /></a>The aforementioned brunch deal was for <a href="http://olmstedatl.com/">Olmsted</a>, a relatively new restaurant in Midtown. The deal included bread and a meat platter to begin, one mimosa or bloody Mary each, and an entree. Unfortunately, we didn't think ahead and went there early on Sunday morning when you can't buy alcohol. That's the South for you... Well, the server was nice enough to let us use our cocktail credit for coffee drinks. And well, that was one of the few things about the service. It took forever to order and get our food even though the restaurant was pretty much empty when we got there. Also, we never got silverware when we were seated. We had to ask for it after the food was brought to us. By the time we started eating, it was already getting cold.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrHcQWS64fFjkJkCptVU0U2DEuTf4oUcYwZs9ZG0tiU7xjqtY3V8VDhgeliBuZaWDCGaJhmp5ulO7UxSAKX1X7YbCxy66HKfZaA1PG9Hm7l_Qd6fjcfFFflWzfTO-kEzNunYORgbR7-w/s1600/IMG_0701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUrHcQWS64fFjkJkCptVU0U2DEuTf4oUcYwZs9ZG0tiU7xjqtY3V8VDhgeliBuZaWDCGaJhmp5ulO7UxSAKX1X7YbCxy66HKfZaA1PG9Hm7l_Qd6fjcfFFflWzfTO-kEzNunYORgbR7-w/s200/IMG_0701.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
So now to the main point, the food. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything special either. I was very disappointed by the bread platter that we were supposed to share. I expected several types of breads/muffins/maybe cornbread/scones. Instead, we got four dainty pieces of zucchini bread. The meat platter was ok. It had sausage, ham and bacon. But it's really weird to eat greasy meat by itself. It would have been much much better with some bread.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAE3pN2aBWG_IzLw9jGfYHq3ITW0rYpPEUruvHzp4Me7PaeAoM2faA9MSRoUzqpdPyTp0ggUGjuJZITwcvq0HDr2AEgl0nOgRbbRyKeTq7bKwGbifE6hEWK60_ygFC340qcuXJhgH6zA/s1600/IMG_0702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAE3pN2aBWG_IzLw9jGfYHq3ITW0rYpPEUruvHzp4Me7PaeAoM2faA9MSRoUzqpdPyTp0ggUGjuJZITwcvq0HDr2AEgl0nOgRbbRyKeTq7bKwGbifE6hEWK60_ygFC340qcuXJhgH6zA/s200/IMG_0702.jpg" width="150" /></a>For the entree, I got the Yet Another Shrimp and Grits, Snooki got the Eggs Savannah, and her boyfriend (BrayBoy) ordered the fried chicken. Yes, "Yet Another Shrimp and Grits" is the name of the item on the menu, and that's exactly what it was. I have definitely had much better shrimp and grits before, and I can make better ones myself. There wasn't any flavor on them. I was hoping that the name was just a joke, but unfortunately it wasn't. Snooki's dish was good, at least. The crab and shrimp cakes weren't overflowing with flavor, either, but there was a good amount of crab meat in them. The hashed potatoes were crispy, as they should be. BrayBoy was happy with his dish, though. It was definitely a guy's portion, with a huge chunk of cornbread that was the size of half a loaf. On the bright side, he had leftovers.<br />
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I guess the best part of the meal was sitting outside. But once it started drizzling, we were ready to go and I don't think any of us would be going back. <br />
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<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-30725177133604873152013-06-08T00:15:00.001-04:002013-06-09T23:50:04.515-04:00Taste Test: Exotic FruitsDespite my love for food, I refuse to drive for more than 5 minutes to go to a grocery store. That means that trips to the farmer's market, which is 20-30 min away, are a very rare occurrence for me. But when I go, I make it an occasion and buy a bunch of things I don't usually get. At my last trip to the Asian farmer's market in town, I decided to try fruits that I have never had before. I went all out and picked some things that I hadn't even heard of and some fruits that I have always wanted to try. My selection is pictured here:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDAELKYKkPHrNKZ3tS0mt9irjyAMqrV_m0CoOddwSHsBeDS_4zM5mdc3QjDVxdIuPo4cDSPtjL-1NgnMoU4JIyWCoysTNNzCQfQaHwqs0TjtadaS-aDfKNxscA5HU-3j-MXdIdQPm7GA/s1600/IMG_0596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDAELKYKkPHrNKZ3tS0mt9irjyAMqrV_m0CoOddwSHsBeDS_4zM5mdc3QjDVxdIuPo4cDSPtjL-1NgnMoU4JIyWCoysTNNzCQfQaHwqs0TjtadaS-aDfKNxscA5HU-3j-MXdIdQPm7GA/s320/IMG_0596.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Top (left to right): Thai guava, zapote, cherimoya<br />
Bottom: dragon fruit, kumquats<br />
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The first to go were the kumquats. I don't know if the rinds are edible, but I did eat them. The kumquats did have a pretty acidic flavor, reminiscent of oranges, but a lot more acidic. The rinds weren't bitter. I found this fruit very refreshing and delicious. I loved how they little pieces exploded in my mouth after biting into them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYEGxDeaOXqbTWpkB4UpYb6T8YNzDzWpDZFqzXkKwwlFmWDkg_VXcN04uqiFJVQ8d0a7CvktbW7UyU0uQ4olDDjZPZqPnfuQjCaQsTznMTZfG2G1M4jq5P2m1VdFhO2TqYhu0v7c8xC8/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYEGxDeaOXqbTWpkB4UpYb6T8YNzDzWpDZFqzXkKwwlFmWDkg_VXcN04uqiFJVQ8d0a7CvktbW7UyU0uQ4olDDjZPZqPnfuQjCaQsTznMTZfG2G1M4jq5P2m1VdFhO2TqYhu0v7c8xC8/s320/IMG_0598.JPG" width="320" /></a>I was very curious about the zapote and cherimoya because I had never even heard of them. So, I cut into them the first day. The cherimoya was soooo good! I read that it's also called a custard apple, and I see how it gets its name. It is very soft and melts in your mouth. The taste is sweet, but not cloying. It does feel like eating pudding, but with even better, fresher taste. Unfortunately, I was kind of disappointed from the zapote. The one I had was half ripe, half too hard. I couldn't even cut into the unripe part, and the rest was on the point of being mushy. The taste was kind of bland too. But I made the best of it by mixing it with the cherimoya in a fruit salad :) The two different tastes balanced each other very well. In the picture above, the cherimoya is the white mush on the bottom, and the zapote is the orange pieces.<br />
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(Important note! I did look up all fruits before I tried them. Turns out the seeds in the cherimoya contain toxic compounds and are inedible. I made sure to remove all of them. If you do decide to try any unfamiliar fruit, please look it up before tasting it.) <br />
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At that point I was also anxious to try the dragon fruit. Just like I had heard, it looks pretty, but it has a very mild taste. It indeed is pretty, with its black seeds and bright magenta outer pulp. The texture has some bite to it, it's not all mushy and soft. So I added it to my fruit salad to add almost like a little crunch to the soft cherimoya and zapote. The final product was delicious!<br />
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A couple of days later I tried the guava as well. The Thai variety has white flesh, while the Mexican variety is pink. The Thai guava didn't impress me at all. It was very bland, with a slightly tangy flavor. I was hoping to something sweeter and resembling the guava candy they give out in some Asian restaurants. I just want to point out that my guava was ripe to the touch, so the lack of flavor is not due to it being unripe. But now I'm really curious to try the pink guava, which is supposed to be sweeter. Maybe I'll pick it up during my next trip to the grocery store, along with more cherimoya :)Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-71777834081245434452013-05-11T20:10:00.000-04:002013-05-11T20:10:03.462-04:00Seafood StreakPumpkin was in Atlanta recently! And the only reason I was excited about that was because she had said she would go eat crawfish with me ;) I had <a href="http://restaurant.com/">restaurant.com</a> coupons for both <a href="http://www.crawfishshackseafood.com/">Crawfish Shack</a> and <a href="http://www.nnnwcorp.com/fontainesmainpage.html">Fontaine's Oyster House</a>, so we made a seafood weekend out of it. We went to Fontaine's on Friday and Crawfish Shack on Saturday. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4URdB1zoUTLgFNXhTYR-N95PJl_R2yMh3l3oj6uODeIIoVLbhb1MJ6cuebDz0ziV4XM_NrFQdbmzxmQfXxYwqBKb9WuVbRd0RbExHB1juCxkAMW4qd07tCdhhyphenhyphenkblVBtMzM9uPxUKlr4/s1600/IMG_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4URdB1zoUTLgFNXhTYR-N95PJl_R2yMh3l3oj6uODeIIoVLbhb1MJ6cuebDz0ziV4XM_NrFQdbmzxmQfXxYwqBKb9WuVbRd0RbExHB1juCxkAMW4qd07tCdhhyphenhyphenkblVBtMzM9uPxUKlr4/s320/IMG_0580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I've been to Fontaine's several times, but every single time I order the Hot combo platter. You get <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">one
pound of shrimp, one pound of snow crab legs, mus<span style="font-size: small;">se</span>ls and clams, and one
dozen <span style="font-size: small;">steamed</span> Gulf oysters<span style="font-size: small;">. Well, <span style="font-size: small;">we always ask if we can get the oysters <span style="font-size: small;">raw rather than steamed. Every <span style="font-size: small;">time they sa<span style="font-size: small;">y, <span style="font-size: small;">L</span>et me check with the <span style="font-size: small;">kitchen. They have been able to accommodate our request every time :) But now to the food. My favorite thing on the platter are the shrimp<span style="font-size: small;"> because of the spices they are cooked with. Most pronounced of these is cumin (I think), and it gives them a flavor I no<span style="font-size: small;">rmally associate with my mother's meatballs rather than sh<span style="font-size: small;">rimp. The crab legs are generally of great quality and taste fresh. I don't think Pumpkin enjoyed them too much because of how har<span style="font-size: small;">d they are to crack. She needs more practi<span style="font-size: small;">ce! And even tho<span style="font-size: small;">ugh she was afraid that we didn't get enough food, we were both <span style="font-size: small;">stuffed by the end. This platter is a perfect portion for two people.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bXANkuddYtOvNZ43L-K9qroSswIdpye92-0BV6Trj3KgEdZ6hGHwFBM2WnzkpdZmxAIW2tmAcgt1qlEYhiahPyUF_2T33dh_i1adiZS2NOHVgPHvfD36_MQWNUhJZ1sH_mpAMisVzME/s1600/IMG_0585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bXANkuddYtOvNZ43L-K9qroSswIdpye92-0BV6Trj3KgEdZ6hGHwFBM2WnzkpdZmxAIW2tmAcgt1qlEYhiahPyUF_2T33dh_i1adiZS2NOHVgPHvfD36_MQWNUhJZ1sH_mpAMisVzME/s320/IMG_0585.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The very next day we were ready for more food at Crawfish <span style="font-size: small;">Shack<span style="font-size: small;">, and Snooki tagged along as well. Of course, we got crawfish (3 <span style="font-size: small;">lb of it!). Snooki wasn't too eager to eat the whole crawfish, so she opted for a shrimp po-boy. </span></span></span> The coupon I had required us to spend at least $45,<span style="font-size: small;"> and we ma<span style="font-size: small;">de up the balance by loading up on sides: Cajun fries, sweet potato tots<span style="font-size: small;">, <span style="font-size: small;">h<span style="font-size: small;">erb-roasted red potatoes</span></span> and</span> corn nuggets.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> The cra<span style="font-size: small;">wfish was <span style="font-size: small;">fresh an<span style="font-size: small;">d spicy<span style="font-size: small;"> - just the way it was supposed to be. The "Cajun" fries<span style="font-size: small;">, though, had NO seasoning on them, not even salt, let alone Cajun spice. Well, maybe a tiny bit of salt, but you get my point. They were so plain, <span style="font-size: small;">they were impossible to eat. But we were too lazy to return them and had plenty of other things to make up for the fries. The roasted red potatoes were al<span style="font-size: small;">so rather plain. The only seasoning they had was a little butter on the bottom of the dish and hard to get to. The <span style="font-size: small;">sweet potato tots, though, were just what I expected from them<span style="font-size: small;"> and still retained their flavor after frying. What I was really impressed by were the corn nuggets. I LOVED them. <span style="font-size: small;">We<span style="font-size: small;"> could<span style="font-size: small;">n't imaging what they would be before ordering, but I'm SO glad we got them. They remind me a little of <span style="font-size: small;">arancini balls, but with corn instead of rice and f<span style="font-size: small;">lattened. The corn kernels are still whole inside and so sweet when you eat them. And overall, <span style="font-size: small;">all the fried sides <span style="font-size: small;">did help to counteract the spicy crawfish :) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-60699742460377166112013-05-03T22:26:00.000-04:002013-05-03T22:27:38.708-04:00IP restaurant week: part 5 + 6<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u8n7Cd0tLhPRT0Glahadpha1kSgaFVONyhEtpu39-kUBpwE7UZnzmjZBSdNFZCXl9sRSQOhNFiuNZ7iwBJugBwl81ouqXK5ftB9CngYfbtJtn-JtsSabTw7hZMf8MtzYhoV1hYiD_D8/s1600/IMG_0568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7u8n7Cd0tLhPRT0Glahadpha1kSgaFVONyhEtpu39-kUBpwE7UZnzmjZBSdNFZCXl9sRSQOhNFiuNZ7iwBJugBwl81ouqXK5ftB9CngYfbtJtn-JtsSabTw7hZMf8MtzYhoV1hYiD_D8/s200/IMG_0568.jpg" width="150" /></a>Yup, it's that time of year again: Inman Park restaurant week!!!! You have no idea how excited I get about it. As before, I went to TWO restaurants :)<br />
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First up: <a href="http://puretaqueria.com/">Pure Taqueria</a>. The main reason I wanted to go there was the ceviche appetizer. I was so nervous they might run out of ingredients to make it, we went there on Monday night - the first day of restaurant week - at 6 pm. Well, it paid off because I did get the ceviche :) Like all the Pure ceviches, it had an innovative presentation with both a tortilla and a plantain chip. The ceviche was a little salty, but very refreshing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-99-x_3LC2GhmvAL2o5U1FYAUzS0D8vkK2bHJ_R6c3XDyzb9MBoAOlqUS156ni3ISuoqqUjxRpWyF6OBu1am4khFx1TNGa-utqaqwYREYjvZrroFx45taQjSsn5pq3vLwAynfa_ij6JM/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-99-x_3LC2GhmvAL2o5U1FYAUzS0D8vkK2bHJ_R6c3XDyzb9MBoAOlqUS156ni3ISuoqqUjxRpWyF6OBu1am4khFx1TNGa-utqaqwYREYjvZrroFx45taQjSsn5pq3vLwAynfa_ij6JM/s200/IMG_0569.JPG" width="200" /></a>For the entree, I ordered the trout with corn cakes and guacamole. It had too many things I love to pass over: corn and guacamole. The salty theme continued on the trout, but the cakes and guacamole were perfect. The trout was crusted in chile, so there was a little bit of heat to the dish, but it wasn't overwhelming.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGSO8z5LtKA3fZBBR3BiIlP989-1IqDGkUJd0xGTw8iU1smQZLOXSzBZmwFlchxp_44mII_nckbMrabjRTc5tDo7hhJOI1cVMgIuSkvPLkVFF0EMVkXzMX5W2anQ_NYyV7M4tdb0Ksck/s1600/IMG_0572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaGSO8z5LtKA3fZBBR3BiIlP989-1IqDGkUJd0xGTw8iU1smQZLOXSzBZmwFlchxp_44mII_nckbMrabjRTc5tDo7hhJOI1cVMgIuSkvPLkVFF0EMVkXzMX5W2anQ_NYyV7M4tdb0Ksck/s200/IMG_0572.jpg" width="200" /></a>Finally, I had the pineapple flan for dessert. It was soo soo good! Sooo smooth, you couldn't even feel it. At the same time your tastebuds detected a rich flavor of pineapple with a hint of nutmeg. The nutmeg was really a great addition. The topping of caramelized pineapple also went great with the dish. Somehow, the rich syrup cut through the flavor of the rich custard to make for a great combination that did not feel cloying at all. This flan was one of those desserts where you say "no, I'm too full, I can't eat any more," but then you have one bite and the rest is gone before you even realize it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6akY-T05B0NwKrtxgkMl28JsDhdjrtEXhupopyx_KY8C9CHPgXiCH-nXmNBAmaNyFq_tV-R-z-7XM95wA0jCQ7BJno8xfjng4IDMrYstMxBYMTcWId4GU8jD9e-2AVUOLoIK2vP1XYU/s1600/IMG_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6akY-T05B0NwKrtxgkMl28JsDhdjrtEXhupopyx_KY8C9CHPgXiCH-nXmNBAmaNyFq_tV-R-z-7XM95wA0jCQ7BJno8xfjng4IDMrYstMxBYMTcWId4GU8jD9e-2AVUOLoIK2vP1XYU/s200/IMG_0578.JPG" width="200" /></a>For the second installment of restaurant week, we went to <a href="http://www.rathbunsrestaurant.com/dinner-menu.html">Rathbun's</a>. Note, this is different from Kevin Rathbun Steak. It had been a long time since I'd gone there, but I quickly remembered why I love the place. I love the atmosphere of a remodeled industrial space (read: cold concrete) and Southern hospitality meet to form a sophisticated, but warm place. And the modern American menu is always exciting and unique. I started with the pork and fennel crepinette (sausage) with mashed potatoes and arugula salad. The sausage was probably the best, moistest sausage I have ever had. It was delicious. However, I could not taste the fennel in it at all, which is surprising because fennel has a pretty strong flavor.<br />
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The choice of an entree was very difficult, but I settled on the tri tip steak with potatoes. Expecting a square meal? Thing again. The steak was perfectly tender and seasoned. It was topped with a chimichurri-like sauce that also went very well with the herbed potatoes. I guess I liked the steak so much, I forgot to take a picture of it...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm7AOT4gV_M5vBLKLAjccV0S1hboEamf6Guyk2Y4ch5AKNYNV2kkN5PB7snlyPSkkw9zeLbi-qI9eudBFgwfbPBhCP0tC9vTUBtsWY2ab6TyZRkeaReCpugTjyni7B5YenfPtv_KBZY0/s1600/IMG_0579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivm7AOT4gV_M5vBLKLAjccV0S1hboEamf6Guyk2Y4ch5AKNYNV2kkN5PB7snlyPSkkw9zeLbi-qI9eudBFgwfbPBhCP0tC9vTUBtsWY2ab6TyZRkeaReCpugTjyni7B5YenfPtv_KBZY0/s200/IMG_0579.jpg" width="150" /></a>For dessert, I continued the custard theme and got the sour cream creme brulee. I was convinced it would taste just like any other creme brulee, but I was happy to be mistaken. I could actually detect the sour cream in the custard - it gave an interesting tartness to the creme brulee that was very unexpected, but wonderful. The cookie on the side was just blah, though. I could have gotten a better chewy cookie at many other places. In the background of the picture you can also see my co-worker's chocolate cupcake with coffee oreo gelato. I loved the rich cupcake, and he was also very happy with the gelato.<br />
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Yet again, I wasn't disappointed with Inman Park restaurant week. Now I can't wait for the fall to do all of this again!Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-71650898009435286992013-03-24T00:01:00.000-04:002013-03-24T00:01:07.816-04:00Chirashi CravingsDespite living right next to a sushi restaurant, I can go for months without having sushi. Then, all of a sudden, I go on a sushi binge. This time, I didn't simply crave sushi, but chirashi. Do not confuse it with sriracha! Sriracha is the Asian hot sauce, and chirashi is a fish-and-sushi rice dish. The reason I love chirashi is that you get plain fresh fish without any sauces to hide its taste. If the fish is not the best quality, you'll notice it right away. And I prefer chirashi to sashimi or nigiri because you do get some fix-ins in terms of vegetables. Plus, there's plenty of rice to fill you up if you're really hungry.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_9OiV_Xy-7MbhZEZVHgyIa9thh600SlPM7nZY4yujnt6idOAh3W81hk3N0FVAvzRK-7o0fsOWUNv3i3fT5UMXVewJ2qyoiWazV_ALb6QsBs8XGvMaJQYaGlAd6wHN1Js3Ib7LUu97yw/s1600/IMG_0522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_9OiV_Xy-7MbhZEZVHgyIa9thh600SlPM7nZY4yujnt6idOAh3W81hk3N0FVAvzRK-7o0fsOWUNv3i3fT5UMXVewJ2qyoiWazV_ALb6QsBs8XGvMaJQYaGlAd6wHN1Js3Ib7LUu97yw/s320/IMG_0522.JPG" width="320" /></a>In the last couple of weeks I had chirashi from two different places: <a href="http://www.zumasushibar.com/board.php?board=zuma&command=skin_insert&exe=home">Zuma at Toco Hill</a> and <a href="http://www.atlantasushiitto.com/">Sushi Itto</a>. I've been to Zuma multiple times, trying many of the rolls and the bento box, but this was the first time ordering chirashi. It came in a HUGE bowl with the sushi rice completely covered by lettuce and then the sashimi on top. The fish selection consisted mostly of tuna and salmon, with a few pieces of white fish mixed in. While the fish was fresh, eating it was a little challenging because of all the lettuce.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tkmo-kZKgWFy1nZ6LlR8mhjiExC7SOT30CYHQOMO1P3y_eDNRIRkZGLMKn4u74ho87F6rI9ZRj8fj4a4DnEYEsJEuUiBSyMS_jdSykLQUyU8REnllyUgarDv5btnqCkQAs5OamOLcyM/s1600/IMG_0555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tkmo-kZKgWFy1nZ6LlR8mhjiExC7SOT30CYHQOMO1P3y_eDNRIRkZGLMKn4u74ho87F6rI9ZRj8fj4a4DnEYEsJEuUiBSyMS_jdSykLQUyU8REnllyUgarDv5btnqCkQAs5OamOLcyM/s320/IMG_0555.jpg" width="240" /></a>In contrast, the chirachi at Sushi Itto is exactly what I want from chirashi: mostly sashimi and rice, with a few vegetables for crunch. And look at how pretty it looked!! I almost didn't want to eat it. Almost ;) The fish (tuna, salmon, what I guess was tuna belly and white tuna) was sooooo good and fresh. It all just melted in your mouth. I don't love salmon, but I couldn't get enough of the salmon in the bowl. And despite it being sliced so thin, there was a substantial amount of fish in there. My only tiny complaint about this dish was that it was hard to squeeze the small lime slices. But who cares about limes when there's delicious fish to enjoy?!?!<br />
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So how exactly do you eat chirashi? I'm sure everyone has their opinion about what is THE right way. I say, stop worrying too much about being proper and just enjoy the dish. Unless, of course, you're trying to impress some native Japanese people for some reason ;) In which case, don't order the chirashi ;) Anyway, I like to mix all the ingredients, bipimbop-style. I also add some soy sauce to the rice. I don't spread the wasabi around the bowl because I can take wasabi only in tiny fractions. Instead, I add just a little bit of wasabi to a side bowl with soy sauce and use it for dipping any bites that might need a little more soy sauce. Another common way to eat chirashi is to alternate fish and rice bites, dipping each in a side bowl of soy sauce. Someone likened this way to eating Thanksgiving dinner: you don't shove turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes in your mouth all at once; instead you take a bite of each in turns. I guess I like the mixture of textures I get from mixing fish, veggies and rice, so I'll keep using my method :)Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-80573696477573367102013-03-08T22:13:00.000-05:002013-03-08T22:13:44.346-05:00Sunday Supper, part 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99KPKip8fVFUjzfSoUBqZ3Q1mrTJD4qGZdcghrBTjd24WiBLm5Y-x06I5L4U4uSlgxepUCHQMSqSZW42v_9k-pZCSDThYI_5GXoB1wkYUi0vmgDMXS4iAbZ2JfPiEeeffDyrKytgx5Xw/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMgvd2WTVMgZzQce1CO3sXeiC6QH6GB94QHP2CwnFM3oRjI7qSmgg0SAgzp81TU3GPgB5h4llqa1KtkYDyBysp3jT6KehR3h0jPvB9EgWQHNStUH9Hkjsn8vqAE6MAVAp_8pmAXFp45k/s1600/IMG_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMgvd2WTVMgZzQce1CO3sXeiC6QH6GB94QHP2CwnFM3oRjI7qSmgg0SAgzp81TU3GPgB5h4llqa1KtkYDyBysp3jT6KehR3h0jPvB9EgWQHNStUH9Hkjsn8vqAE6MAVAp_8pmAXFp45k/s200/IMG_0526.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
My first experience with Sunday Supper at <a href="http://www.jctkitchen.com/">JCT Kitchen</a> came <a href="http://foodasfun.blogspot.com/search/label/JCT%20Kitchen">about a year ago</a>. After saying a thousand times that I want to go again, we finally made it back there, using Bulgaria's Independence day as an excuse. Even though she's not Bulgaria, Snooki also tagged along.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99KPKip8fVFUjzfSoUBqZ3Q1mrTJD4qGZdcghrBTjd24WiBLm5Y-x06I5L4U4uSlgxepUCHQMSqSZW42v_9k-pZCSDThYI_5GXoB1wkYUi0vmgDMXS4iAbZ2JfPiEeeffDyrKytgx5Xw/s1600/IMG_0525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg99KPKip8fVFUjzfSoUBqZ3Q1mrTJD4qGZdcghrBTjd24WiBLm5Y-x06I5L4U4uSlgxepUCHQMSqSZW42v_9k-pZCSDThYI_5GXoB1wkYUi0vmgDMXS4iAbZ2JfPiEeeffDyrKytgx5Xw/s200/IMG_0525.JPG" width="200" /></a>As before, the table shared biscuits with apple butter and brown butter, a large salad and deviled eggs. And after what seemed like an eternity, we finally got our entrees. JCT Kitchen, you need to get your act together because it's not OK to make people 30 min after the salad to get their meals. I suspect our dished were just waiting on a counter somewhere because they were cold by the time we got them. Everything was still delicious, but I know it would have been a lot better if warm. Oh yeah, here's what we ordered: I had the pan-seared steak with mushrooms, Snooki had the pork tenderloin, my dad got the grouper with beets, and my mom ordered the fried chicken with cornbread. It's funny how it works out this way so many times, but I liked Snooki's dish (the pork) a lot more than my dish (steak). The pork was very tender and moist compared to my dry cold steak... At least the mushrooms were great...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzVvpuM6Md6Rdtk-x9trObRmBJlvMAS8rNi8CJ5FwpAEek9CpjRsZa8XFbaHgmXEPcCkWmtsGnSd7oUomOdn4MYehx2tFIIBAJIamnNxUSxfj8n4HuB4VQoqg3YSYTZH8GOTH_tebSBM/s1600/IMG_0524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzVvpuM6Md6Rdtk-x9trObRmBJlvMAS8rNi8CJ5FwpAEek9CpjRsZa8XFbaHgmXEPcCkWmtsGnSd7oUomOdn4MYehx2tFIIBAJIamnNxUSxfj8n4HuB4VQoqg3YSYTZH8GOTH_tebSBM/s200/IMG_0524.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-XGj72-BvhQFIGUVAg8ihokB_XwLITXPSYNVkq1-JnxEH5ov6qxWTQAR57anEKkDPBzWASFy5JtBUnmsO_RjVvnE0rTTn9Spi2L5wSc5X2ArwecpymSDajlk0dE7nmEZ3SiFccSaKE0/s1600/IMG_0527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR-XGj72-BvhQFIGUVAg8ihokB_XwLITXPSYNVkq1-JnxEH5ov6qxWTQAR57anEKkDPBzWASFy5JtBUnmsO_RjVvnE0rTTn9Spi2L5wSc5X2ArwecpymSDajlk0dE7nmEZ3SiFccSaKE0/s200/IMG_0527.JPG" width="150" /></a>I think my favorite part of the Sunday Supper are the sides, especially the mashed sweet potatoes that we had last time. I've been dreaming about them! Well, day-dreaming ;) But they didn't have them on the menu this time! I'm outraged! Now I'll have to figure out how to make them myself. In the meantime, we had to choose something different and settled on mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts, and mushrooms with Parmesan. However, our not-so-good waiter brought us mashed potatoes instead of mushrooms. Thankfully, he let us keep to potatoes and brought us mushrooms in addition to that. So in the end, we got a free side out of it :) Plus, the mushrooms turned out to be different from what we expected. We thought that they'd be sauteed mushrooms with cheese on top; instead, it was a mushroom risotto with cheese. It wasn't bad, but not the deliciousness I was waiting for. As to the other sides, the mashed potatoes were good, albeit too greasy; the Brussels sprouts were cooked perfectly, not bitter at all, and the mac and cheese was spectacular - very, very cheesy and with huge chunks of pancetta. By the way, if my parents like the Brussels sprouts, they must have been good. My dad especially is not too eager to try new foods.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuYXW1A8IpBnc9mnwrSaUP1yChyphenhyphenA71xhnuOvbgTA8Rd-0KaehNYMRID6HZPZG9NL4NZqo0qbaBFrjOtj3JJ98WSspALE01Kfabeztd4SCndCgUkWIKZwmiAzk0ENxixkIcV8r-mMsrmw/s1600/IMG_0528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuYXW1A8IpBnc9mnwrSaUP1yChyphenhyphenA71xhnuOvbgTA8Rd-0KaehNYMRID6HZPZG9NL4NZqo0qbaBFrjOtj3JJ98WSspALE01Kfabeztd4SCndCgUkWIKZwmiAzk0ENxixkIcV8r-mMsrmw/s320/IMG_0528.JPG" width="320" /></a>And at the end of the meal came the dessert - caramelized pear pie. We were all complaining (in a good way!) how stuffed we were after the side overload. I was even telling myself that I'll have only a couple of bites of the pie. But boy oh boy! This pie is one of the BESTTTTT things I've ever had. The pears were soft and gooey, they were fragrant with warm spices (cinnamon, etc.), there was a little bit of custard, and the pie was sooo flaky and soft to the fork. It probably took me all but a minute to devour a pretty huge slice! At some point I did remember to stop for long enough to take a picture... It doesn't look that impressive, but you all should be jealous that you didn't try it. Well, that pie made us all forget about some of the mishaps earlier during the dinner :) And yes, it's up there on my list of amazing foods, right next to the French Toast at La Boulange :)Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-41605552984547283112013-03-08T22:06:00.000-05:002013-03-08T22:06:33.440-05:00Mardi GrasA friend of mine recently moved to Baton Rouge, LA, to work at LSU, so my roommate Snooki and I went to visit her at her new house. And it just happened that Mardi Gras was going on at the same time. You know, no coincidence at all ;) But in between the parades, Bourbon St and driving around to find a parking spot, we got to enjoy some awesome Louisiana foods.<br />
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It was Snooki's first time in New Orleans, so she had a long list of things to try. Thankfully, every touristy place in the French Quarter has a New Orleans sampler platter. This one came with gumbo, crawfish etouffee, and jambalaya. One time that was missing was the rice and red beans, so read the menu carefully to make sure you go to a place that has all four! Anyway, Snooki loved the gumbo, but didn't enjoy the etouffee too much. She is freaked out by the crawfish even when they're cleaned up ;) But she likes shrimp... Go figure... That first night I had a proper fried oyster po-boy because getting a po-boy from a BBQ place doesn't really count. This one was really really good. The oysters were crispy on the outside, but not overfried. And the fries were surprisingly good. However, nothing was better than my bloody mary which had the perfect amount of kick to it :) Sorry, though, I don't have pictures from the dinner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsEON6VJ8lhVySo0ck1EpAIpEBQRSore_Eq_BJMgoiHKUSLeC-pF-2ur161cLSBna6iYxca_CTsR8sokl-0g1WPiHu0AaDuDHrlzBf8VTy1l-y-F8ysO3xamx1TOk_oNU4gqo8Cpqvew/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsEON6VJ8lhVySo0ck1EpAIpEBQRSore_Eq_BJMgoiHKUSLeC-pF-2ur161cLSBna6iYxca_CTsR8sokl-0g1WPiHu0AaDuDHrlzBf8VTy1l-y-F8ysO3xamx1TOk_oNU4gqo8Cpqvew/s320/IMG_0475.JPG" width="320" /></a>We finished off the night in Baton Rouge at a local beignet spot. By the time we got there it was already 2 am, but why not have some sugar, right? They are known for the "Finger" beignets. Sounds creepy, but all it means is that they were fried in long, thin streaks. The larger surface area-to-volume ratio makes them very crispy. We also got their traditional beignets which are bigger and not as crispy as the ones at Cafe du Monde. On the bright side, they were completely free because the store owner was an incredibly nice Southerner who was impressed that it was Snooki's first time in NO. Oh, and he made us try the hot chocolate! After many refusals (after all, it's not wise to have sugar AND caffeine at 2 am), we did each have a sip. And I was glad we did because it was great! And we didn't have to worry about not being able to sleep after all; we passed out as soon as we got to my friend's house. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28JyxxPn2Nnqi2vjz4zdlpTKjGdFky-uY7JHout0vzyDCYg35lQDmktq6Wp-iZ3LP2kvro2A4eWJC4LDKfBb_6F-ZBk3oApeBS5PUpCxwjBgs87NjWTJJDdKnwoQNpHLEtMkhVKSM910/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28JyxxPn2Nnqi2vjz4zdlpTKjGdFky-uY7JHout0vzyDCYg35lQDmktq6Wp-iZ3LP2kvro2A4eWJC4LDKfBb_6F-ZBk3oApeBS5PUpCxwjBgs87NjWTJJDdKnwoQNpHLEtMkhVKSM910/s320/IMG_0515.JPG" width="320" /></a>The next day was extremely hectic and we didn't have a real meal until 9 pm. We did each have a snack during a parade we saw, but our major source of calories that day was beer ;) Not surprisingly, we were starving by dinner time at stopped to eat at the first restaurant we saw after getting to the French Quarter: Corner Oyster House. I skipped the oysters and went out on a limb and decided to try something different - alligator picante. Well ,i can tell you that everything does taste like chicken... The meat wasn't too flavorful and it was quite dry. The spicy sauce was much better, though. And I was so hungry that I ate the whole thing despite the inferior quality ;P<br />
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On our last day there, we woke up semi-early and had brunch at <a href="http://www.thechimes.com/the-chimes/home/">The Chimes</a>, a place right next to the LSU campus. I was really happy when we got a table after only about a 20 min wait. Some of our friends decided to get the fried bowties and artichoke dip for appetizer. Yes, bowties as in the pasta. I admit I wouldn't order something like that because I can't image what fried past would taste like... But I'm glad they did because it was really good! That pasta was very crispy, but not completely stiff. The dip was just a regular dip, but overall the appetizer surpassed my expectations. For my entree, I had the crabcakes. That was a great choice because they were amazing!!! They had a good amount of crabmeat, were moist, and a little spicy. The potato hash lived up to the high standards set by the crabcakes, too - crispy and with a little kick. I even liked the grits even though I'm not a huge grits fan. Unlike most grits out there, these tasted like corn :) Again, I ate the whole thing. I guess the best way I can summarize this trip to New Orleans is "overeating on delicious food." Mardi Gras, what?Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-82950060567334603142013-01-10T20:10:00.000-05:002013-01-10T20:10:26.988-05:00Elegant BuffetElegant buffet? Huh? That can't exist. Right? Well, turns out it's possible, in Las Vegas of all places.<br />
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Buffets have been a part of Vegas history from its initial days. People who went to Vegas didn't care what they ate as long as it was enough to get them through a night of gambling. Thankfully, all of this has changed. Together with the sophistication of the city, the buffet has been revamped. A perfect example of this is the opulence of the <a href="http://www.caesarspalace.com/casinos/caesars-palace/restaurants-dining/bacchanal-buffet-detail.html">Bacchanal Buffet at Caesar's Palace</a>.<br />
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How many times have you had to wait for 2 hours to get into a buffet? Well, you better be prepared to do that at peak times at Bacchanal. But once you get in, you forget about the wait. The chic modern decor, the subdues lighting, the delicious food scents wafting through the air - they all make you want to dig into some food. But hey, slow down! [Record scratch noise.] You need to wait in another line for seafood! Yes, that's right. That's why my boyfriend (Rusty) and I started with the Asian section that was less busy and got some sushi and dumplings. There was nothing too special about the sushi, but it did fill our starving stomachs a little bit. Then we were ready for the seafood!<br />
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Rusty and I were at Bacchanal at a particularly busy time, so the seafood line was winding all the way to the back of the buffet, past most of the other sections. While waiting, we were often tempted with Mexican (Rusty said the tacos were delicious), carved meats, breads, deep-fried baskets, etc. Well, we made it to the seafood without too much damage to our hunger, so we loaded up on seafood. There were all types of clams, mussels, shrimp, fish, steamed and cold oysters and crabs, ceviches, shooters, etc! And yes, we got a little of everything :) The appearance was often deceiving, and the things I thought I would love were a little bland. Overall, the food was liking spice, but I do tend to like more spice than the general population. Still, there was a lot of amazing food to make up for the blander one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rO_N_RiL6Vr-DE4wqnGnR41Bqn9SZB22eiOWPhiCisSkdfKo6lRL21htU1RrqivR5e-VIUKpe6uFrppokJ_ov_bYFWGwJvkxXAxErP2N-08oNHnCUMUmvBfKsn32hvEZG0YcrTJ7T1o/s1600/IMG_7538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_rO_N_RiL6Vr-DE4wqnGnR41Bqn9SZB22eiOWPhiCisSkdfKo6lRL21htU1RrqivR5e-VIUKpe6uFrppokJ_ov_bYFWGwJvkxXAxErP2N-08oNHnCUMUmvBfKsn32hvEZG0YcrTJ7T1o/s200/IMG_7538.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
The next stop was the "potatoes and meat" section. I call it that because it had many types of meat and all the typical sides they would go with. Rusty and I tried the lamb chop, ribs and chicken wings. The sides we had were mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, corn on the cob, and cornbread. I absolutely loved the chicken wings! They were spicy and herby (because of added cilantro). The cornbread was also really good. The rib and lamb chop were cooked perfectly, but were a little on the bland side again. The mashed potatoes were really really creamy :) However, the mac and cheese had a weird, grainy texture despite having a ton of cheese in it. I don't like buttery corn on a cob, but I think other people would have enjoyed it. Oh, we also got wagyu beef sliders. They were sooo moist and well-flavored! I wish I wasn't that stuffed because I wanted to eat several of them.<br />
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Finally, even though we could barely walk, we had to try the dessert. There must have been about 100 options just on the dessert display. There were soo many things that we wanted to try! We had to settle for a key lime tart, pecan tart, tiramisu, red velvet cheesecake, chocolate peanut butter cupcake, chocolate creme brulee, and vanilla and espresso ice cream. I LOVED the key lime tart. It was tart and just enough sweet :) Also loved both types of ice cream, especially the vanilla one. The vanilla flavor was so rich, but not overwhelming. All the other desserts were also good, but not as amazing. And it says a lot if I enjoyed them after all the savory food before that ;)<br />
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There were definitely hits and misses at the buffet, but the overall experience was very good. Most of the time I forgot it was a buffet. Vegas is going in the right direction with its food scene. Another development are the many elegant restaurants, many of them run by celebrity or award-winning chefs. But those will have to wait until my next visit to Vegas :)Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-83094428219032618242013-01-05T20:10:00.000-05:002013-01-05T20:10:21.303-05:00Wolfgang Puck CafeWolfgang Puck. I always twist my tongue when I try to say his name, but I've wanted to eat in one of his restaurants for a long time. This opportunity finally came up to us when my family and I went to Downtown Disney during our annual Christmas vacation. To keep it on the cheap side, we had lunch at the <a href="http://www.wolfgangpuckcafeorlando.com/index">cafe</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrOHz4nodYyjKuTx-y24L08zYMHDFOh6WT4FqxWDdso-Wg1GOuFO4lwULLWTTwrlD5fRw9UPNPNrDYWAeOL5fCCp1inGOpAq_hkrjQ30NcVr7rLOuxcljc8mtliimszyqqxUMOKqIOR8/s1600/IMG_0447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrOHz4nodYyjKuTx-y24L08zYMHDFOh6WT4FqxWDdso-Wg1GOuFO4lwULLWTTwrlD5fRw9UPNPNrDYWAeOL5fCCp1inGOpAq_hkrjQ30NcVr7rLOuxcljc8mtliimszyqqxUMOKqIOR8/s200/IMG_0447.jpg" width="150" /></a>After several large meals around Christmas, I kept my lunch light with the Big Kahuna sushi. My sister (Pumpkin) had the same idea with a Greek Shrimp salad. My mother ordered the Chicken Aioli sandwich, and my dad got Chicken tenders.<br />
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My sushi was really great, with fresh seafood and a nice spicy sauce on top.<br />
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Pumpkin's salad looked delicious, too. The feta was moist and creamy, resembling a little Bulgarian-style feta. It was definitely not the dry crumbly thing they sell in grocery stores and call feta.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp3pWxg7wwVuFtYz72zjiuGZq2hF7S1jQLuAOXLDbtmCJ4_N3dW3jVVGPuK7_jcUnXiALT5zTpKXcmEA6JkU35cInBTZNq7umhPXU2suZhyphenhyphenAMLJjTRNXy4TyM6WT-CcDhJ7vp65EJoeA/s1600/IMG_0450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIp3pWxg7wwVuFtYz72zjiuGZq2hF7S1jQLuAOXLDbtmCJ4_N3dW3jVVGPuK7_jcUnXiALT5zTpKXcmEA6JkU35cInBTZNq7umhPXU2suZhyphenhyphenAMLJjTRNXy4TyM6WT-CcDhJ7vp65EJoeA/s200/IMG_0450.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l9X44rdjNaLAKkAhLJm115Knl_jf1ez8RxgZNCzFP7AlXFzBl2kO7ksJlDs_amMueUDGzmDfUYkFHdgANAe805stTYxDGtG0y2YVztOakcesXl2ybwC-5Wdxmly-Cqgr2uPQZ_P7zKw/s1600/IMG_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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I also really liked the chicken aioli sandwich. The chicken was very tender and moist, and the aioli wasn't overpowering. The fact that the chips were sprinkled with Parmesan on top was a nice touch to transform them to something more special.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l9X44rdjNaLAKkAhLJm115Knl_jf1ez8RxgZNCzFP7AlXFzBl2kO7ksJlDs_amMueUDGzmDfUYkFHdgANAe805stTYxDGtG0y2YVztOakcesXl2ybwC-5Wdxmly-Cqgr2uPQZ_P7zKw/s1600/IMG_0449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l9X44rdjNaLAKkAhLJm115Knl_jf1ez8RxgZNCzFP7AlXFzBl2kO7ksJlDs_amMueUDGzmDfUYkFHdgANAe805stTYxDGtG0y2YVztOakcesXl2ybwC-5Wdxmly-Cqgr2uPQZ_P7zKw/s200/IMG_0449.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
I'm not a big fan of chicken tenders, but the side Ceasar salad that my dad good looked really good. It even had bruschetta on top.<br />
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This was a satisfying lunch, but I didn't think there was anything special that could have been made by a famous chef. I sure hope the full restaurant is better than this.Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-51906218457635555772013-01-05T19:33:00.000-05:002013-01-05T19:33:05.292-05:00Bad Dog TacosI love cooking, so I bring my own lunch pretty much every day. I do save a lot of money and eat nutritious meals, but I also miss out on eating at some of the good lunch spots around town. There are several places around Emory that are pretty good. And I didn't even notice that a new one had opened: <a href="http://www.baddogtaco.com/site/">Bad Dog Taqueria</a>. As with pretty much every new place in Atlanta now, they use local ingredients and claim to prepare everything fresh. Hey, this fad is fine by me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4X0RFaqUvoWGtApeMKsmi7SS9dmeVJsdgxvycIfrzet_uOotvjWW5er9vNV0NDy0EVOaTORBosMx5Y0J6LDPZ6klQrB382IpZP1G6Cu7nl2Z2IwE7_yOMmW0B7LgzgC6Uz0pIS1Y0zg/s1600/IMG_0380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4X0RFaqUvoWGtApeMKsmi7SS9dmeVJsdgxvycIfrzet_uOotvjWW5er9vNV0NDy0EVOaTORBosMx5Y0J6LDPZ6klQrB382IpZP1G6Cu7nl2Z2IwE7_yOMmW0B7LgzgC6Uz0pIS1Y0zg/s200/IMG_0380.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I went to Bad Dog with a couple of my labmates, and we started by sharing the chips and salsas. This is probably one of the best deals I've seen around. The chips are a mixture of corn tortilla chips, plantain chips, and yucca chips (I love yucca!). And to increase the variety even more, there are three different salsas: salsa fresca, plantain pineapple serrano, and fire-roasted tomato. Oh, and a generous portion of this goodness is only $4!<br />
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For lunch, I ordered the We've Got Seoul and Skinny Bitch tacos. By the way, I love restaurants with character like that. The Seoul taco had Korean BBQ pork and kimchee slaw. And the Skinny Bitch was made with grilled mahi mahi. When they arrives, I couldn't wait to dig in. The grilled flour tortillas (corn tortillas available upon request) and overflowing filling made them look very appetizing. Unfortunately, they both tasted ok, but I was expecting a bigger punch of flavor, especially from the Korean BBQ. Instead, I could feel the texture of the slaw and mayo, but not much else.<br />
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Still, I like the idea behind these tacos. The quality of the ingredients was obvious. I want to give Bad Dog tacos another chance. Maybe some of the other tacos will live up to the character/flavor that their names suggest.Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-66067792834326997562012-11-20T23:30:00.000-05:002012-11-20T23:30:43.394-05:00San Francisco: La BoulangeWhen I first went to San Francisco a couple of years ago, a stumbled upon a bakery in the Cole Valley area called <a href="http://laboulangebakery.com/">La Boulange</a>. I was mesmerized by the desserts on display: croissants, macarons, quiches, tarts, breads... Then I tried the Fantastic French Toast and I knew I'd be eating at La Boulange again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNA90FzMqQJwJ_inL4qh0gpsa8Bi7YFiNmbDrVtuACcD2AC_OR0VsUrkZWpS6UPcgO0NL7iWunI2-7YhMFTN79Rk_BrfcEmmz7mvcFbTCCP_1AxE5zsZvawNWUR6pwgRwWTfVjt9D625A/s1600/IMG_7045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNA90FzMqQJwJ_inL4qh0gpsa8Bi7YFiNmbDrVtuACcD2AC_OR0VsUrkZWpS6UPcgO0NL7iWunI2-7YhMFTN79Rk_BrfcEmmz7mvcFbTCCP_1AxE5zsZvawNWUR6pwgRwWTfVjt9D625A/s320/IMG_7045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Skip to the present, and I have been to San Francisco two more times and I have eaten at La Boulange several more times. It turns out La Boulange is a local chain with stores all over the city. This past month I was staying only a block away from a location on Sutter Street in downtown. It was hard to resist its pull, so I went there several times over three weeks. The first time I had the French toast that I love so much. It's not a simple French toast! It somehow has a layer of custard on the bottom, and then the custard-soaked toast. It tastes like eating creme brulee in a cake form. How can you not love that? :) The toast itself is fluffy inside, but crispy on the outside. And it's served with fresh fruit. If I was ever on that show "Best Thing I Ever Ate," I would talk about this French toast :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iT4WwJ8Wo8vZsb1ECgCr3uUypQctqzkNkPVqSCLxShdEWS_tXLkVFNqYw4TA7vj9lrmPP55QAnxIpCVB8e2otuweGjClbL1EgK8ilWow8Wlk4jQD8ZpMG45XPeYE4JZsogdfsREav9k/s1600/IMG_7066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7iT4WwJ8Wo8vZsb1ECgCr3uUypQctqzkNkPVqSCLxShdEWS_tXLkVFNqYw4TA7vj9lrmPP55QAnxIpCVB8e2otuweGjClbL1EgK8ilWow8Wlk4jQD8ZpMG45XPeYE4JZsogdfsREav9k/s200/IMG_7066.JPG" width="200" /></a>This year I decided to branch out and try some of the non-dessert things at La Boulange. They also make sandwiches using bread made in-house. I've had the hummus sandwich and the smoked salmon sandwich, both with a side of quinoa salad. Both of them were delicious. The hummus sandwich was topped with avocados and cucumbers, so overall it had a very refreshing taste. It would have been perfect for a warm summer day, but it tasted just as great on a cool fall morning :) The sprouts were too bitter for my taste, but I pushed them off the sandwich and ate them with the quinoa to cancel out the bitterness. As to the quinoa salad, it was too salty both times I had it :( Well, at least I got a good amount of fiber and protein from it...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzXji4zej69CLRO-xYUANwKAyeH1z7itH67gyS6p8OBbYpLabsx8UQs5xZ6IHz_d-IWbpTMMry4117ZT8aBfoz8mgOWJ3-6lEgVCBxuwChkficelXvHE9mwaDwiwTpOdz6ARPOVVnvB4/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzXji4zej69CLRO-xYUANwKAyeH1z7itH67gyS6p8OBbYpLabsx8UQs5xZ6IHz_d-IWbpTMMry4117ZT8aBfoz8mgOWJ3-6lEgVCBxuwChkficelXvHE9mwaDwiwTpOdz6ARPOVVnvB4/s200/IMG_0322.JPG" width="200" /></a>The salmon sandwich came with cucumbers, creme fraiche and capers. The capers were well-washed and weren't too briny. I need to wash my capers when I cook with them that well, haha ;) Other than that, it was a solid sandwich with nothing too special about it, but I enjoyed every single bite.<br />
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My last time at La Boulange I ordered half of the goat cheese sandwich and a cup of French onion soup. The sandwich was very disappointing. It barely had any cheese on it. And it was toasted to the point where the bread was burned and the cheese was completely dried out. I hope this mispreparation is not the norm for this sandwich. Even the portobello and the roasted red peppers couldn't rescue the sandwich. The soup, on the other hand, saved the meal. This was actually my very first time having French onion soup, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I liked the one at La Boulange. The onions were caramelized well and sweet. And there was a crouton in the cup that nicely mopped up all the flavors. <br />
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I've had so many good experiences at La Boulange that I'm willing to overlook this last negative one. At the end I want to mention that all of the prepackaged desserts are also amazing. I've tried pretty much all types of shortbread cookies. Surprisingly, I'm not a huge fan of the chocolate ones, but love all the others. La Boulange is also known for their French-style macarons. They are always fresh and have the perfect texture. Now they even have a delicious pumpkin macaron :) They also sell so-call San Francisco-style macarons, which are single cookies of almond-hazelnut flour; these might be my favorites so far. Finally, the almond-chocolate croissants are a must-have. Honestly, I wish I could have every single meal at La Boulange, I love it that much!Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-70037422127331020972012-11-10T23:41:00.000-05:002012-11-10T23:41:56.022-05:00San Francisco: Cafe TiramisuI'm in San Francisco again, for yet another extended stay. This time I'm staying right in between Union Square and Chinatown. Even though I can't afford to buy anything right now, this is a great location :) Hey, window shopping is free :) But the other reason I like this area is the many dining options. There are several restaurants on every single street for the few blocks around me. Honestly, it's quite overwhelming! I wish I could try them all...<br />
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One place that I did try is <a href="http://www.cafetiramisu.com/">Cafe Tiramisu</a>. It's an Italian restaurant that specializes in seafood, which combines two things I love. I went there with several people from IBM who are here for training. Some of them are staying at the same hotel as me and invited me to go with them :) So we ended up being a big group. This worked out great because the menu looked amazing and there were sooo many things I wanted to try. But being in a big group, we ordered everything family-style :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig59ocVMjW4KOBTAOmzeT2WzpKujxjqE0p9un91yuELkCBRAbkqzKg0whJMAF9hSeld30LNyOe-kSm7cw6HoPMvfw0XFozUr0ZUOO5yMJPZjshxFYoIbM3wyWl1l8qEwoZ5hG5Jdk7s-U/s1600/IMG_0316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig59ocVMjW4KOBTAOmzeT2WzpKujxjqE0p9un91yuELkCBRAbkqzKg0whJMAF9hSeld30LNyOe-kSm7cw6HoPMvfw0XFozUr0ZUOO5yMJPZjshxFYoIbM3wyWl1l8qEwoZ5hG5Jdk7s-U/s200/IMG_0316.jpg" width="200" /></a>We started by sharing the grilled calamari and the mussels in spicy chile sauce for appetizers. The mussels were pretty similar to what you can get at any good restaurant. Don't get me wrong, though, they were delicious, just nothing too special. However, I loooved the calamari. I have to admit that this was the first time I had grilled calamari; I've always had them battered and fried or poached in soups/stews. The grilling preserved their real taste and softened the texture just a little bit. Plus, they looked so pretty with their tentacles still on :) I think that was my favorite thing abut the dish...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqfWDtw6FpJNaB-j1fT_7BYP-FFtwG-KFv12jMnYVcKXkBvOlMRPq0-0XeFTtn3tAQ14wzv9Ouz3xWynYs8frJxWDSLVJjP12_LJo967mzrzj7lMB18oDZzPWMFKVFMDS2F_0yC_7hio/s1600/IMG_0318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqfWDtw6FpJNaB-j1fT_7BYP-FFtwG-KFv12jMnYVcKXkBvOlMRPq0-0XeFTtn3tAQ14wzv9Ouz3xWynYs8frJxWDSLVJjP12_LJo967mzrzj7lMB18oDZzPWMFKVFMDS2F_0yC_7hio/s200/IMG_0318.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwCdKVTDmRflyEeCH7WA1OZsXN8wJhkuU7fTlW4fNwdz2SkfcX5VE8I8KNnW2w6YCQjD-7V7e6YW8B6TMqp-fdONh1kqo-VrpcJYPLdKQq9Sab8SxU8GgSiTt8uFm5nzuhL50sHHR0T8/s1600/IMG_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwCdKVTDmRflyEeCH7WA1OZsXN8wJhkuU7fTlW4fNwdz2SkfcX5VE8I8KNnW2w6YCQjD-7V7e6YW8B6TMqp-fdONh1kqo-VrpcJYPLdKQq9Sab8SxU8GgSiTt8uFm5nzuhL50sHHR0T8/s200/IMG_0317.jpg" width="150" /></a>For entrees we ordered the pumpkin and ricotta gnocchi, Dungenese crab tortellini, pappardelle with Bolognese sauce, and the oricciette with pork ragout. Again, all the dishes were delicious. All the pastas were hand-made and fresh. The tortellini contained huge chunks of crabmeat and came in a nice creamy sauce. I'm usually not a fan of Bolognese-style meat sauces, but I loved the one here. The pork ragout was also amazing. But my favorite dish were the pumpkin gnocchi. Honestly, I didn't expect to detect much pumpkin flavor, but I was very pleasantly surprised. And even better, the gnocchi were still savory and not sweet. I guess the addition of ricotta was able to cancel out the sweetness of the pumpkin. I definitely had several helpings from that plate :)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1f4ePzxJWMoVCVlgP5js0IUMpXreC93uQqWCqgc8dLM6QV5lLP44gR29zfOzSVs_wItY_qYDF4lJ05YoDDaDCSNtBDHQPBBnk9ED8UB-3g8Lskplm_tNA1U4Rn5l4kYP3RGzRalmb4qk/s1600/IMG_0321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1f4ePzxJWMoVCVlgP5js0IUMpXreC93uQqWCqgc8dLM6QV5lLP44gR29zfOzSVs_wItY_qYDF4lJ05YoDDaDCSNtBDHQPBBnk9ED8UB-3g8Lskplm_tNA1U4Rn5l4kYP3RGzRalmb4qk/s200/IMG_0321.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFS6HUiDhoUl-3Fbh9Z3fguQbxgej_A9Unv7GxJAfaQmyYMOtVUZKMzm0BWyi_RdYIQ5b0HbTxkuVEym9cehdop__oQ5UeThyzpw_7_5sVm-2rAz3GvkZ3ciJmU2Asd4KDDjhcQ9H7Ic/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFS6HUiDhoUl-3Fbh9Z3fguQbxgej_A9Unv7GxJAfaQmyYMOtVUZKMzm0BWyi_RdYIQ5b0HbTxkuVEym9cehdop__oQ5UeThyzpw_7_5sVm-2rAz3GvkZ3ciJmU2Asd4KDDjhcQ9H7Ic/s200/IMG_0319.jpg" width="150" /></a>And we couldn't go to a place called Cafe Tiramisu without ordering tiramisu! It was delicious, but again similar to most other tiramisus I've had. We also got the bomboloni, Tuscan-style donuts. I can't believe I spent a whole week in Tuscany and never heard about them! They were really delicious. They were filled with cream inside and came with a chocolate sauce for dipping. They reminded me of beignets in terms of texture, of Boston Creme donuts because of the sauce, and of churros because of the chocolate sauce. Well, combine all of these goodies and you have a great finish to a great meal :)Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-70231082118508596212012-10-10T19:36:00.002-04:002012-10-10T19:36:44.632-04:00Taste test: Flavored yogurtAs <a href="http://foodasfun.blogspot.com/2012/09/yogurt.html">promised</a>, I did a taste test with flavored yogurt as well. Oh, the sacrifices I have to make for this blog... And this in not fully sarcastic. I do not like purchased flavored yogurt because it tends to have too much sugar and be too sweet. I eat plain yogurt with jam, but I add just a little bit of jams I like.<br />
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So, I found a way to cheat in this flavored yogurt test :P Instead of buying the popular Chobani, I tried the flavors of Fage. The Fage 0% plain yogurt is my favorite anyway. And what's really amazing is that the "flavored" varieties come in special divided containers that keep the flavoring and the yogurt separated. This way you can mix in as much as you want. What confuses me, though, is why the container says not to mix them... Are we supposed to take a bit of jam and then a bit of yogurt with each spoonful? Anyway, I mixed them because that's how I like it :)<br />
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I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of flavors available, probably around ten in total. I picked only six of them for this taste test. I think the flavors I picked are representative of what Fage offers. And many of the flavors I didn't try are single-ingredient jams that I have in one of the combination below. In order of preference, here are the reviews:<br />
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Honey: surprisingly, this was my least favorite. After all, honey and (Greek) yogurt is such a classic combination! Well, it all depends on the quality on the honey, and the one in the Fage yogurt didn't cut it. It was so think that I couldn't mix it at all into the yogurt. At least it tasted ok.<br />
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Blueberry/acai: classic example of what I consider "too sweet." I probably added only half of the jam, but it was still sweet. Plus, there were only a few whole berries in the sugary blueberry syrup.<br />
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Cherry/pomegranate: not as sweet as the blueberry/acai, but just as syrupy. Again, I wish there was more whole fruit. Plus, it had a little bit of an artificial cherry flavor (think, cough syrup) even though Fage doesn't use any artificial ingredients. I couldn't detect any pomegranate taste. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j8kzcCOU_IdSCopZ5MDtrBvkSWyOgzDIFSc19dSiuVGsMhlo6Dh6KuKF0FKm8aJPQgNLaYysqIKpKQbHMh61VAmU9fiNDTH9pzpP5HetjBdLMqKD2OcnhocnY2Y4mmFbKSP3gsv9DG4/s1600/IMG_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0j8kzcCOU_IdSCopZ5MDtrBvkSWyOgzDIFSc19dSiuVGsMhlo6Dh6KuKF0FKm8aJPQgNLaYysqIKpKQbHMh61VAmU9fiNDTH9pzpP5HetjBdLMqKD2OcnhocnY2Y4mmFbKSP3gsv9DG4/s200/IMG_0112.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Raspberry: the jam has the right sweetness and consistency, but no chunks of fruit. I actually like the seeds in raspberries, so I missed them. But I'm sure the majority of the people would prefer the seedless version that Fage used.<br />
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Peach: I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Peaches can be very bland if not ripe enough or too sweet in some desserts. I didn't know which one I would get. But the jam in this case was perfect. It wasn't too sweet, but with intense peach flavor and lots of peach pieces.<br />
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Strawberry/goji: Goji? What's that? According to Wikipedia, it's a type of berry common in Asia. The strawberry/goji jam did have a pronounced strawberry flavor, but also hints of something new and unique that I haven't tried before. I can't even explain what it tastes like. The reason I loved this flavor the most is because it made me want to try goji berries. Does anyone know where I can find them?<br />
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<br />Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-51076283147121216862012-10-02T19:54:00.000-04:002012-10-02T19:54:21.516-04:00IP restaurant week pt 4: ParishParish is one of those restaurants that elevates comfort food to make it fancy without sacrificing the taste. Ever since Ems and I went there <a href="http://foodasfun.blogspot.com/search/label/Parish">a long time ago</a>, I had wanted to go back to try that mushroom cheesecake. Unlike the spring edition of Inman Park restaurant week, the menu at Parish looked amazing this time. Well, the cheesecake wasn't on the restaurant week menu, but I still wanted to try everything!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqDmvcqep4YJ82ne0W9KtmNG4vVZapMM31Z554fNHkX_eJN_rzLpTo8Dt4pZdYLl21-yI4hiFKZ0LGtSO91h2rBsKOEoH6N_VQK0-KBc6OuIzcVzeVNXmyxzppn6jRvqX2QjCBJ-S9ls/s1600/IMG_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWqDmvcqep4YJ82ne0W9KtmNG4vVZapMM31Z554fNHkX_eJN_rzLpTo8Dt4pZdYLl21-yI4hiFKZ0LGtSO91h2rBsKOEoH6N_VQK0-KBc6OuIzcVzeVNXmyxzppn6jRvqX2QjCBJ-S9ls/s200/IMG_0108.JPG" width="200" /></a>All three appetizers sounded interesting: parsnip soup, chicken hearts, and octopus and sausage. I was even considering getting two appetizers instead of an appetizer and an entree. Snooki got the parsnip soup, which was creamy and delicious. I finally decided to get the sauteed chicken hearts because I know that it's very easy to overcook octopus and make it chewy. My biggest surprise about the meal was the portion size! It was bigger than many entrees and included three huge half-slices of brioche bread. Well, at least the bread was toasted, coated in a creamy sauce, and tasted well. However, I couldn't eat more than a couple of bites knowing that I had two more meals coming up. The hearts themselves were perfect. I even liked how they were cut in bite-size pieces. Plus, they were sauteed in butter, and you can't go wrong with that ;) Unfortunately, the carrot puree was a huge disappointment. The texture was somehow gritty and it didn't even taste like carrots...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkero1BGjl6HN_j-Smw5TI0Pk0n8qdwYTc6jdiEwV4qFV914d6Hqp7TwabdRtXm_yEEfOlNh2_RDcptQXs5J6t3w0pedW7tHm4RqgepiW-KXeB5Fe_E7J9QYkncygEqrxuyyvGd7UvEE/s1600/IMG_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkero1BGjl6HN_j-Smw5TI0Pk0n8qdwYTc6jdiEwV4qFV914d6Hqp7TwabdRtXm_yEEfOlNh2_RDcptQXs5J6t3w0pedW7tHm4RqgepiW-KXeB5Fe_E7J9QYkncygEqrxuyyvGd7UvEE/s200/IMG_0109.JPG" width="200" /></a>I wish I could try all entrees as well: fried chicken, fried mussels, and Israeli couscous. I settled on the mussels. Honestly, I've had much better mussels before, even at gastro pubs. The ones at Parish were sauteed in a butter sauce, but the butter just didn't seem to go well with the mussels. I wish they were cooked in a wine sauce with some fresh herbs and citrus. On the bright side, the fries were really great :) I probably ate more fries than mussels. Anyway, the entree made me wish I had finished all of my chicken hearts and skipped the second course. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTSbA2cExASGYu62OPI3V7RgJTl-3ElZbGwlJmDZLRbVSV122587mUr3CDW4xUaL93NhIWbAvL93X5NmAy-m-pOQkqHyx8KupTdxJKM_zV4089jnqgy9x2NLIYFUcN7Y6rIhXlPFVsfk/s1600/IMG_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuTSbA2cExASGYu62OPI3V7RgJTl-3ElZbGwlJmDZLRbVSV122587mUr3CDW4xUaL93NhIWbAvL93X5NmAy-m-pOQkqHyx8KupTdxJKM_zV4089jnqgy9x2NLIYFUcN7Y6rIhXlPFVsfk/s200/IMG_0110.JPG" width="200" /></a>At least the dinner ended well. I ordered the banana bread pudding for dessert, and Snooki got the chocolate tart. Both of them came with ice cream on the side. The crust on the tart was a little hard, but it was still delicious. And my banana bread pudding was AMAZING. The banana flavor was very prominent, the pudding was soft without being soggy, and the caramel sauce on the bottom of the plate went great with it. Plus, it was a pretty big potion, too :) Just what I needed after the light entree.<br />
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I thought Parish was supposed to serve a mixture of Southern, Louisiana-style food with emphasis on seafood. However, this meal didn't really fit into any of these categories well. There was a lot of seafood, but it didn't seem to be the strength of the restaurant. The chef is definitely creative, but it's hard to attract customers if you can't even describe what kind of food you serve. But if you're looking for a charming place with a unique menu, it's definitely worth a try.Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6290892173966501424.post-55075629504888832322012-09-30T17:46:00.001-04:002012-09-30T17:46:38.487-04:00IPRW Part 3: WisteriaIt's the beginning of fall, which means it's time for Inman Park restaurant week again! I love that they have it twice a year: <a href="http://foodasfun.blogspot.com/2012/03/tip-inman-park-restaurant-week.html">in the spring</a> and in the fall. Last time I went to <a href="http://foodasfun.blogspot.com/2012/04/ip-restaurant-week-part-1-sotto-sotto.html">Sotto Sotto</a> and <a href="http://foodasfun.blogspot.com/2012/04/ip-restaurant-week-part-2-wisteria.html">Wisteria</a>. And guess what? I couldn't resist going to Wisteria yet again this week :) <br />
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The menu for restaurant week this time was pretty much the same as it was in the spring. However, there were multiple choices for both appetizers and entrees, so I had a hard time choosing something even after having tried several of the things. Actually, I went there with three friends, and we all got different dishes and we all loved what we had. I guess I'll first summarize what the others had before describing my meal.<br />
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My roommate Snooki had the mixed greens salad and the pork tenderloin. The pork was lightly seared on the outside and literally melted in your mouth! Definitely the best pork tenderloin/chop I have ever had anywhere! This is not an over-exaggeration. It's so easy to overcook the pork to the point where it's too dry. This one was the opposite of dry. It reminded me more of seared tuna steak than any other pork dish. My friend Els ordered the black eyed peas hummus and shrimp and grits, which is exactly what I had last time. She liked both of them. Finally, Els's boyfriend got the deviled eggs and fried chicken. His favorite piece of food was the sweet cornbread. He even wanted to get the recipe :)<br />
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The appetizer I decided on was the tomato soup with arugula pesto. The soup was really delicious by itself, with sweet tomato notes. I'm glad that there wasn't anything spicy in it. The pesto, when mixed with the soup, added some herbal freshness to the dish, but I didn't like how oily it made the soup. The soup came with a really incredible toast covered in Parmesan cheese. The toast was very simple, but the crunch and the cheese made it irresistible.<br />
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For my entree I ordered the Southern-fried catfish. The portion size was surprisingly large because each plate came with two rather large pieces of fish. I ate only one of them and saved the other one for lunch the next day :) The breading was a little soggy, but it didn't overpower the fish. And the tartar sauce on the side was pretty good, too. I also liked the stewed roasted peppers, green tomatoes, okra and crawfish that accompanied the fish. I'm not a fan of okra, but the one here wasn't that slimy so I could eat it. Overall, I liked my entree, but wasn't wowed by it.<br />
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Just like last time, the dessert was a trio of traditional Southern desserts: carrot cake, brownie, and lemon pecan bar. Unlike my last visit to Wisteria when I didn't like the carrot cake, it was my favorite this time, haha. It was just so moist and the perfect sweetness. I was also impressed with the lemon pecan bar. There were pockets of tartness that mixed well with the sweet dough. The brownie and spicy ice cream were delicious as well, but not as novel as the last time... But the general consensus at the end was that we all wanted a second serving of dessert :)<br />
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Well, that was my visit to Wisteria. Stay tuned for a dinner at Parish, also as part of Inman Park restaurant week.Stefhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06479490832279594600noreply@blogger.com0